There are certain NBA teams that pay huge dividends as short-term assets—squads that aren’t necessarily rebuilding or contending for a championship but are tearing things up now, without the guarantee that they’ll be tearing things up for much longer. And that brings us to the Charlotte Hornets, the ultimate short-term assets in today’s betting landscape. [+]

Here’s what this means for them in a nutshell: They are in the middle of an identify shift, much like the Indiana Pacers. They’re running smaller lineups and shooting more threes, and head coach Steve Clifford has managed to implement this systemic shift without compromising the team’s defense. Everything, for the most part, is working at this point. The Hornets are hot, especially at home, and they’re going to be a tough playoff out for anyone in the Eastern Conference.

The message? Don’t be initimidated by the prospect of investing in the Hornets. They have the potential to cover big, seemingly one-sided spreads, and unlike the teams they’ve fielded in years past, they’re well-equipped to satisfy any needs you have to bet on the over.

Charlotte Hornets Next Game

This is where you can find out who the Hornets are playing next. Keep refreshing your memory. As soon as you know who the Hornets are playing next, let the research begin. [+]

If you’re betting on the Hornets frequently, you should know enough about them, so this is more about giving yourself adequate time to size up the opponent and decide which bets you’re placing and which way you’ll be betting when you place them.

My Team's Next MatchCharlotte Hornets

Charlotte Hornets Regular Season Schedule

Are you one of those savvy bettors that likes to plan ahead weeks, even months, in advance? You’ve come to the right place. This is the Hornets’ entire schedule at a glance, and while you won’t have every line available to you at once, it never hurts to study forthcoming matchups.  [+]

Start by simply plucking out games you deem sure things—contests you strongly believe the Hornets are going to win or lose. Next, prepare yourself for the forthcoming lines. Decide how much you think the Hornets will win or lose by, preferably setting a maximum and minimum. Once the offfical lines drop, you’ll find that your final decision is easy just because you thought about it sooner rather than later.

Results / FixturesCharlotte Hornets

Charlotte Hornets Standings

With the Eastern Conference as clunky as it is, it’s important to keep track of the Hornets’ placement relative to other teams. You want to know the records of their opponents. [+]

If you’re one of the souls compelled to throw money at the Hornets’ division, conference and/or championship odds, you’ll need these win and loss totals. It’s most important for those conference and championship odds. The Hornets must have a favorable postseason path lined up for you to even consider going that far with this team. Returning to the standings every once in a while gives you a rough idea of not only which team they’ll be facing in the first round, but which opponents they could square off against in all subsequent series.

StandingsCharlotte Hornets

Don't Read Too Much into the Hornets of Today

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Perhaps this sounds crass, or overly presumptive, or outright stupid. But that doesn't matter, because it's true. 

It's entirely possible that the Hornets build upon this season's success in a way that deserves more serious betting play. Until that happens, stick to the guns we've outlined above. You don't want to get caught in the trap of thinking this team is better than it is, and then believing it's only going to get even better than that.

Free agency threatens to rip apart the Hornets' core. Nicolas Batum, Al Jefferson and Marvin Williams are all slated to hit the open market, and losing either one of Batum or Williams sets Charlotte back.

Before viewing the Hornets as an Eastern Conference contender or overall championship threat, wait to see who they add or lose over the offseason. And even when you get that far, it's safer—and smarter—to save those types of bets, if you make them at all, for the middle of season. You'll know by then whether the new pieces fit, how much the Hornets miss those they've lost and also whether MKG has hurt or helped their current dynamic.

Only when you have all that information should you be making dark-horse conference and championship wagers. You should probably be sitting on the over/under win total bets as well, though such gambles are admittedly more acceptable over the offseason once all the free-agency dominoes have fallen into place.

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