The Lakers have been red hot in Charlotte as of late. They 8-0 against the spread in their last 8 games in the Queen City.
A back-to-back won’t do Lebron James’ sore knee any favours, and it’s the position his Los Angeles Lakers are in when the visit Charlotte on Friday. LeBron missed L.A.’s loss at Philadelphia last night, and so for the first Lakers game since December 17 it was not James leading the club in scoring.
The Hornets are coming off the NBA’s highest point total this season, scoring 158 points in a 32-point regulation win at Indiana. The 158 points were a Hornets franchise record for a game too, and quite a way to snap a two-game losing streak. Now, Charlotte faces off against the 26th-ranked defence in L.A.
Tip-off at Spectrum Center is 7:30 p.m. EST. The Hornets are 6.5-point favourites on the NBA odds.
Lakers vs. Hornets NBA Betting Odds
The status of James, who is day-to-day with knee soreness, is what’s made Charlotte sizable favourites. Now the ninth-place Lakers aren’t exactly a team to ride, especially with their 24-25 record compared to Charlotte at 27-22, but history indicates L.A.’s a smart play.
The Lakers have not only beaten Charlotte in all of their last six meetings, but they have covered in each win too. In fact, Los Angeles is 8-0 against the spread in their last eight visits to Charlotte. That said, the Hornets are 15-5 against the spread at home this season, and L.A.’s won just nine of their 22 road games on the year.
Los Angeles Lakers
Without James on Thursday, it allowed Anthony Davis to get back to form in his second game back from a knee injury. Davis finished with a game-high 31 points and 12 rebounds on 14 of 21 shooting although the Lakers fell to Philadelphia 105-87. Russell Westbrook added 20 points while going nine of 15 from the field.
James has scored at least 25 points in 18 straight games, so his absence shows up in a bad way. L.A. shot 40 per cent from the field on Thursday without him, converting on six of 29 attempts for three. And the Lakers can’t afford to struggle on O — they give up over 112 points a night.
Charlotte Hornets
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the Hornets’ offensive explosion against the Pacers, scoring a game-high 39 while coming off the bench. Oubre connected on 10 of 15 attempts from beyond the arc; it was the second time this month he’s made at least nine threes in a game, but also only the second time reaching 20 points in a game in January. LaMelo Ball put up his fourth triple double of the season with 29 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in the win.
A 7-3 run has now put Charlotte into seventh place in the East, but also 4.5 games out of first place.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Hornets?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 28 Jan 2:14pm | LAL | -7 -110 | O +227.5 -110 |
| Closing 29 Jan 12:00am | LAL | -10 -110 | O +225.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
30.27 |
| Assists |
7.05 |
| Rebounds |
9.85 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
2.25 |
| Points |
20.16 |
| Assists |
7.61 |
| Rebounds |
7.74 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.59 |
| Blocks |
0.94 |
- Regular Season
Hornets Team Leaders
| Points |
30.27 |
| Assists |
7.05 |
| Rebounds |
9.85 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
2.25 |
| Points |
20.16 |
| Assists |
7.61 |
| Rebounds |
7.74 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.59 |
| Blocks |
0.94 |
Injuries
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)
Dwight Howard (C)
Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Anthony Davis (PF)
Russell Westbrook (PG)
Anthony Davis (PF)
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)
Anthony Davis (PF)
Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)
Nick Richards (C)
Gordon Hayward (SF)
Jalen McDaniels (PF)
James Bouknight (SG)
Cody Martin (PF)
Cody Martin (PF)
Nick Richards (C)
James Bouknight (SG)
Gordon Hayward (SF)
Cody Martin (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talen Horton-Tucker (SG) | day-to-day | Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Horton-Tucker exited Sunday's game with a left ankle sprain, and he will not return. |
|||||
| Dwight Howard (C) | Out Sun | Rest - 10 / 04 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Howard will not take the court for Sunday's contest versus the Nuggets as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Carmelo Anthony (SF) | Out Sun | Illness - 07 / 04 / 22 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Anthony has been absent from the lineup during the past two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not play Sunday versus the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Anthony Davis (PF) | Out Sun | Foot - 06 / 04 / 22 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Davis has been held out of the previous two games with a right mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Russell Westbrook (PG) | Out Sun | Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Westbrook has missed his second-straight game with a sore right shoulder, and he will not be active against the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Anthony Davis (PF) | Prob Tues | Foot - 04 / 04 / 22 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Tuesday's clash versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Wenyen Gabriel (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Gabriel is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is projected to partake in Sunday's matchup with the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Anthony Davis (PF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 02 / 04 / 22 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Sunday's clash versus the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Carmelo Anthony (SF) | Prob Sun | Illness - 01 / 04 / 22 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Anthony missed the previous game with a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Sunday against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Wenyen Gabriel (SF) | Ques Fri | Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Gabriel is dealing with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Friday's matchup with the Pelicans. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Richards (C) | Ques Wed | Hand - 10 / 04 / 22 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Richards has a left hand contusion, and it has yet to be determined if he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Hawks. |
|||||
| Gordon Hayward (SF) | Late April | Foot - 05 / 04 / 22 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Hayward is sidelined due to discomfort in his left foot, and he will not be available until at least the end of April. |
|||||
| Jalen McDaniels (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 09 / 03 / 22 | 10-7 | 9-8 | + - |
|
McDaniels was held out of the previous game due to a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will play against the Pelicans on Friday. |
|||||
| James Bouknight (SG) | Out indefinitely | Neck - 28 / 02 / 22 | 12-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Bouknight is out of action with neck soreness, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Cody Martin (PF) | Prob Mon | Back - 28 / 02 / 22 | 12-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Martin is dealing with lower-back tightness, but it is likely that he will partake in Monday's matchup with the Bucks. |
|||||
| Cody Martin (PF) | Doub Sun | Back - 27 / 02 / 22 | 13-9 | 11-11 | + - |
|
Martin is dealing with lower-back tightness, and it is unlikely that he will take the court Sunday versus the Pistons. |
|||||
| Nick Richards (C) | Prob Wed | Foot - 24 / 02 / 22 | 13-9 | 11-12 | + - |
|
Richards has sat out the last three games due to a sore right foot, but it is anticipated that he will face the Cavaliers on Wednesday. |
|||||
| James Bouknight (SG) | Prob Fri | Wrist - 07 / 02 / 22 | 14-13 | 14-15 | + - |
|
Bouknight has been absent from the last two contests due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to lace up for Friday's clash with the Pistons. |
|||||
| Gordon Hayward (SF) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22 | 14-13 | 14-15 | + - |
|
Hayward has been sidelined with sprained ligaments in his left ankle, but it is expected that he will return to action for Saturday's matchup versus the 76ers. |
|||||
| Cody Martin (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22 | 14-13 | 14-15 | + - |
|
Martin has been out of action with a left ankle injury and Achilles soreness, but it is likely that he will suit up for Friday's tilt versus the Raptors. |
|||||
-
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
108 -
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
121
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 28 Jan 2:14pm LAL -7 -110 O +227.5 -110 Closing 29 Jan 12:00am LAL -10 -110 O +225.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 30.27
Assists 7.05
Rebounds 9.85
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.5
Blocks 2.25
Points 20.16
Assists 7.61
Rebounds 7.74
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.59
Blocks 0.94
-
- Regular Season
Hornets Team Leaders
Points 30.27
Assists 7.05
Rebounds 9.85
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.5
Blocks 2.25
Points 20.16
Assists 7.61
Rebounds 7.74
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.59
Blocks 0.94
-
Injuries
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)
day-to-day Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22Dwight Howard (C)
Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Out Sun Illness - 07 / 04 / 22Anthony Davis (PF)
Out Sun Foot - 06 / 04 / 22Russell Westbrook (PG)
Out Sun Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22Anthony Davis (PF)
Prob Tues Foot - 04 / 04 / 22Wenyen Gabriel (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22Anthony Davis (PF)
Prob Sun Foot - 02 / 04 / 22Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Prob Sun Illness - 01 / 04 / 22Wenyen Gabriel (SF)
Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22Nick Richards (C)
Ques Wed Hand - 10 / 04 / 22Gordon Hayward (SF)
Late April Foot - 05 / 04 / 22Jalen McDaniels (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 09 / 03 / 22James Bouknight (SG)
Out indefinitely Neck - 28 / 02 / 22Cody Martin (PF)
Prob Mon Back - 28 / 02 / 22Cody Martin (PF)
Doub Sun Back - 27 / 02 / 22Nick Richards (C)
Prob Wed Foot - 24 / 02 / 22James Bouknight (SG)
Prob Fri Wrist - 07 / 02 / 22Gordon Hayward (SF)
Prob Sat Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22Cody Martin (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Talen Horton-Tucker (SG) day-to-day Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Horton-Tucker exited Sunday's game with a left ankle sprain, and he will not return.
Dwight Howard (C) Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Howard will not take the court for Sunday's contest versus the Nuggets as he will be given a day of rest.
Carmelo Anthony (SF) Out Sun Illness - 07 / 04 / 22 2-1 1-2 + - Anthony has been absent from the lineup during the past two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not play Sunday versus the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF) Out Sun Foot - 06 / 04 / 22 2-2 2-2 + - Davis has been held out of the previous two games with a right mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Russell Westbrook (PG) Out Sun Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22 2-2 2-2 + - Westbrook has missed his second-straight game with a sore right shoulder, and he will not be active against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Anthony Davis (PF) Prob Tues Foot - 04 / 04 / 22 2-2 2-2 + - Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Tuesday's clash versus the Suns.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22 2-3 2-3 + - Gabriel is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is projected to partake in Sunday's matchup with the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF) Prob Sun Foot - 02 / 04 / 22 3-3 3-3 + - Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Sunday's clash versus the Nuggets.
Carmelo Anthony (SF) Prob Sun Illness - 01 / 04 / 22 3-4 4-3 + - Anthony missed the previous game with a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Sunday against the Nuggets.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF) Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22 3-4 4-3 + - Gabriel is dealing with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Friday's matchup with the Pelicans.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Nick Richards (C) Ques Wed Hand - 10 / 04 / 22 2-0 1-1 + - Richards has a left hand contusion, and it has yet to be determined if he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Hawks.
Gordon Hayward (SF) Late April Foot - 05 / 04 / 22 3-2 3-2 + - Hayward is sidelined due to discomfort in his left foot, and he will not be available until at least the end of April.
Jalen McDaniels (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 09 / 03 / 22 10-7 9-8 + - McDaniels was held out of the previous game due to a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will play against the Pelicans on Friday.
James Bouknight (SG) Out indefinitely Neck - 28 / 02 / 22 12-9 11-10 + - Bouknight is out of action with neck soreness, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Cody Martin (PF) Prob Mon Back - 28 / 02 / 22 12-9 11-10 + - Martin is dealing with lower-back tightness, but it is likely that he will partake in Monday's matchup with the Bucks.
Cody Martin (PF) Doub Sun Back - 27 / 02 / 22 13-9 11-11 + - Martin is dealing with lower-back tightness, and it is unlikely that he will take the court Sunday versus the Pistons.
Nick Richards (C) Prob Wed Foot - 24 / 02 / 22 13-9 11-12 + - Richards has sat out the last three games due to a sore right foot, but it is anticipated that he will face the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
James Bouknight (SG) Prob Fri Wrist - 07 / 02 / 22 14-13 14-15 + - Bouknight has been absent from the last two contests due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to lace up for Friday's clash with the Pistons.
Gordon Hayward (SF) Prob Sat Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22 14-13 14-15 + - Hayward has been sidelined with sprained ligaments in his left ankle, but it is expected that he will return to action for Saturday's matchup versus the 76ers.
Cody Martin (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22 14-13 14-15 + - Martin has been out of action with a left ankle injury and Achilles soreness, but it is likely that he will suit up for Friday's tilt versus the Raptors.