The Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers will be facing off for the first time this season on Thursday. The Hornets enter this game having won four of five, and are starting to mesh together at the right time. Meanwhile, the Lakers have strung together three straight wins without their superstar forward Anthony Davis. Which of these teams will be able to continue their streak?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Lakers are 8-point favourites on the NBA odds with a total of 227.

Charlotte has fared well against Pacific Division opponents, although the Lakers are a different animal than the rest. The Hornets are both 4-1 against the spread and straight up against the division. Of note, the Over is 14-4 in their road games this season.

The Lakers have struggled to cover in non-conference games as they are 3-9 ATS. However, they are 14-9 ATS in games where the total is 220+ and 17-7 SU.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are led by their star rookie point guard LaMelo Ball, who is putting up fantastic numbers in just his first season with the team. Ball has played like a grizzled veteran so far, putting up 15.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game while leading the team in those last two categories. He has contributed on the offensive and defensive end, and elevated the play of his teammates. He hasn’t done it alone, though, as Gordan Hayward has pitched in 21.1 points per game while Terry Rozier has come to life, pouring in another 20.4. Their whole young core has also taken that next step in development with P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges all improving over the summer to help them out. They lost badly in Denver last night, though, and will have to regroup quickly. We’ll see if they can pull it off.

Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James completely carries the load offensively for this team, averaging 25.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Not surprisingly, he leads the Lakers in all of those categories. He is just continuing his dominance across the league and has done so without Davis for about 16 games. The Lakers have also gotten improved production out of Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell, who have each stepped up in the absence of Davis. Schroder puts up 14.6 points and 4.6 assists per game while Harrell adds on 14.5 of his own and 6.3 rebounds. Their depth has taken a hit in recent days, though, with Jared Dudley tearing his MCL and Alex Caruso suffering from a concussion. The status of veteran big man Marc Gasol is also in question, but he should be able to suit up for this game after missing the previous two due to COVID-19 protocols. It is just too hard to believe that James will not be able to pull out a win for his team given their talent difference.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Hornets vs. Lakers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Hornets Team Leaders

CHA

Points	Terry Rozier 20.39
Assists	LaMelo Ball 6.14
Rebounds	Cody Zeller 6.83
FG%	Grant Riller 66.7
Steals	LaMelo Ball 1.59
Blocks	P.J. Washington 1.23

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

CHA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

CHA

Points	Terry Rozier 20.39
Assists	LaMelo Ball 6.14
Rebounds	Cody Zeller 6.83
FG%	Grant Riller 66.7
Steals	LaMelo Ball 1.59
Blocks	P.J. Washington 1.23

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

CHA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

Injuries

Charlotte

Caleb Martin (SF)

Prob Thurs Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21

Malik Monk (SG)

Ques Sun Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21

Miles Bridges (SF)

Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 05 / 21

P.J. Washington (PF)

Prob Thurs Personal - 04 / 05 / 21

Devonte' Graham (PG)

Ques Tues Knee - 03 / 05 / 21

Caleb Martin (SF)

Ques Thurs Ankle - 03 / 05 / 21

Cody Martin (PF)

Out indefinitely Ankle - 03 / 05 / 21

Devonte' Graham (PG)

Ques Sun Knee - 02 / 05 / 21

Devonte' Graham (PG)

Ques Tues Quadricep - 15 / 04 / 21

Brad Wanamaker (SG)

Ques Fri Ankle - 15 / 04 / 21

L.A. Lakers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21

Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)

Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21

Andre Drummond (C)

Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21

Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)

Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21

Marc Gasol (C)

Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21

Injuries

Charlotte

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Caleb Martin (SF)	Prob Thurs	Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21	2-2	2-2	+ -
Martin is dealing with a dislocated left thumb, but it is projected that he will face the Clippers on Thursday.
Malik Monk (SG)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21	3-3	3-3	+ -
Monk exited the last contest due to right ankle soreness, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Sunday's tilt with the Hornets.
Miles Bridges (SF)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 04 / 05 / 21	3-6	4-5	+ -
Bridges is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return.
P.J. Washington (PF)	Prob Thurs	Personal - 04 / 05 / 21	3-6	4-5	+ -
Washington missed the last game while tending to a personal matter, but it is likely that he will be available for Thursday's battle with the Bulls.
Devonte' Graham (PG)	Ques Tues	Knee - 03 / 05 / 21	3-6	4-5	+ -
Graham has been held out of the previous four contests due to right knee discomfort, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Tuesday's tilt against the Nuggets.
Caleb Martin (SF)	Ques Thurs	Ankle - 03 / 05 / 21	3-6	4-5	+ -
Martin missed the last contest with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will be active versus the Bulls on Thursday.
Cody Martin (PF)	Out indefinitely	Ankle - 03 / 05 / 21	3-6	4-5	+ -
Martin is out of the lineup due to a left ankle sprain, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Devonte' Graham (PG)	Ques Sun	Knee - 02 / 05 / 21	4-6	4-6	+ -
Graham is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unknown if he will be available for Sunday's tilt versus the Heat.
Devonte' Graham (PG)	Ques Tues	Quadricep - 15 / 04 / 21	7-12	7-12	+ -
Graham has missed the last two games with a left quad contusion, and it is unclear if he will be in the lineup Tuesday versus the Knicks.
Brad Wanamaker (SG)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 15 / 04 / 21	7-12	7-12	+ -
Wanamaker is bothered by a right ankle sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will be active versus the Nets.

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Ques Thurs	Knee - 02 / 06 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 31 / 05 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 28 / 05 / 21	2-2	0-3-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C)	Ques Sun	Leg - 20 / 05 / 21	3-3	0-5-1	+ -
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sat	Back - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C)	Prob Sun	Finger - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21	4-6	3-6-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.