Charlotte at Atlanta

The Charlotte Hornets franchise has become a mess. They have completed a season above .500 (including playoff games) just three times since 2004, and enter this game a disappointing 19-60. Whem a poor team gets late in the season they typically have improved somewhat, but the opponents tend to take a breath and not bring their "A" game, or use it as an opportunity to rest a starter or two. That has allowed the Hornets to cover five of their last eight. The Hawks have sealed a play-in game as the 10th and final seed so they should play this one with minimal effort. I think the line does not reflect that, and I will back Charlotte.