The Los Angeles Lakers will conclude their road trip in Charlotte as they get set to take on the Hornets for the second time this season. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Lakers-Hornets prediction and pick.
These teams put on an absolute show the last time they met, but that game featured both LeBron James and LaMelo Ball in action. Both teams are coming off of disappointing losses and will each look for a much-needed bounce-back win tonight.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Lakers-Hornets odds.
NBA Odds: Lakers-Hornets Odds
Los Angeles Lakers +1.5 (-110)
Charlotte Hornets -1.5 (-110)
Over 208.5 Points (-110)
Under 208.5 Points (-110)
Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to struggle without their big-two in LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the court. The Lakers have fallen all the way down to the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings. They need to get back on track in the final month of the season to position themselves for another championship run. Los Angeles had an extremely promising 25-point victory in Brooklyn a few nights ago.
The win against Brooklyn was extremely promising for Los Angeles as it proved that this team is finally starting to find their identity without their two superstars. Eight of the 10 Lakers that saw the court in that game finished in double figures. The Lakers will need these kinds of contributions down the line to make up for the absence of their two most important players. Los Angeles shot 55.9% from deep in that game, which is essential for their success with a lack of scoring down low. The Lakers are 15-12 ATS on the road this season and 7-0 ATS in their last seven games in Charlotte.
Why The Hornets Could Cover The Spread
The Charlotte Hornets currently hold the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference standings despite their record of 27-25. Charlotte has exceeded expectations all season long and continues to do so without their two best players in Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball. Injuries have really hindered this team's ability to make any sort of noise come playoff time, but you have to believe that just making it will be a huge win for a rebuilding team going through loads of adversity this season.
The impact that LaMelo Ball has on a nightly basis for the Charlotte Hornets is virtually irreplaceable. Once Hayward joined him in the injured reserves, someone had to pick up all of the slack. Miles Bridges has done a solid job of that so far. He led the way for the Hornets in their recent loss with 23 points and seven boards. If you haven't seen his recent dunk yet, please search “Miles Bridges dunk” on Google. The Hornets have been covering at a high clip of late, going 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games coming in.
Final Lakers-Hornets Prediction & Pick
The Los Angeles Lakers possess one of the best defensive units in all of basketball. Andre Drummond has added the rim protection that this team was lacking, which now makes them a force to be reckoned with on that end of the floor every night. They possess a huge advantage over Charlotte in that respect and will continue their recent dominance against the Hornets tonight. Los Angeles is starting to find their identity without LeBron and AD and they have to know the importance of ending this long road trip on a high note.
FINAL PICK: Los Angeles Lakers +1.5 (-110)
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