It appears as if the Charlotte Hornets have been forever trying to turn the corner as a franchise. We’re not sure a rookie can lead them toward the promised land, but most would say that LaMelo Ball, the front-runner for the rookie of the year award, has them off to a good start in that direction, leading all rookies with 15.8 points, 6.3 assists and six rebounds per game.

The Hornets have snuck into the #5 position in the Eastern Conference playoff queue. And they have a chance to advance further than that. At the same time, they are just two games ahead of the ninth spot, so they can’t necessarily afford to slow up.

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Are the Denver Nuggets making a move? They are also a #5 team, in the Western Conference. And guess what? Like the Hornets, they could drop out of the whole picture if they go cold.

This may be the kind of game where some seemingly small intangible factor could really matter. As we deliberated which way to go at America’s Bookie, we ‘re not sure it’s “small.” So we’ll tell you which way we’re going, and why.

And by the way, this game takes place at the BALL Arena. But don’t read too much into that.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets Predictions

Hornets vs. Nuggets Betting Report

Tip-off: 9:05 PM ET (Wednesday)

NBA Betting Odds: Nuggets -6.5 / Total 231

First let’s offer some of the hard facts. Charlotte has won four straight games and six of their last eight. And though Ball, the rookie, has been the guy creating a lot of offense, there are obviously people on the other end, like Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward, who combined for 51 points against Sacramento in a 122-116 win the other night – a game where they were undervalued, laying just three points.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=GegLhdH4BaI

The general perception about the Nuggets is that they have been an underachieving bunch, by and large, and perhaps that is reflected in their 18-21 mark against the pointspread. They have also begun to play some of their best basketball, with six victories in their last seven games, and five of those were on the road. In the 121-106 win over Indiana the other night, Nikola Jokic had 32 points and 14 rebounds, while Will Barton had at least 20 points for the third straight game.

The kind of thing we worry about here, honestly, is that someone like LaMelo simply won’t be ready for the Nuggets on Wednesday night. Why do we say that? Because of what is happening tomorrow night.

That’s when the Hornets meet up with the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. And you know, we’re in this era where social media dominates, and you better believe that LaMelo is thinking about that first encounter with LeBron James, if for no other reason than that everybody is reminding him that he should.

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And bettors can be certain that includes his dad, LaVar Ball, who was an outspoken critic of coach Luke Walton when he was coaching the Lakers, and has always taken advantage of an opportunity to needle LeBron a little.

So in other words, within the context of the current NBA mentality, that game means something.

So will LaMelo Ball and the Hornets get caught looking ahead? We only mention that because LaMelo has become the on-court leader of the team, and in effect, the face of a franchise that has been looking for one, which is a strange things to say about a team that is owned by Michael Jordan.

The kid is downplaying it, like it’s no big deal. I don’t believe it. But I am relatively certain Denver will be ready. One would have the impression that this number creates value. But the situation may get the best of Charlotte.

The Play: DENVER -6.5