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Andrew Rogers
Lakers vs. Hornets Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
Which team can perform better without its two best players in the lineup? That’s the question sports bettors will be looking to answer Tuesday night when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers continue to slip down the Western Conference standings in the absence of both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, while Charlotte remains in the East playoff hunt despite being without LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward. L.A. is a 1-point favourite on the NBA odds.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Hornets are slight favourites in the second of two season meetings between the teams; the Lakers earned a 116-105 victory in their March 18 encounter, and that was when Charlotte still had both Ball and Hayward in the fold. Still, the Hornets have been one of the better cover options in the league in recent weeks, boasting an 8-3 mark in their past 11 games. And a slight 60 per cent majority of Sports Interaction participants are siding with the home team against the spread.
The betting crowd is much more unanimous when it comes to the total, with 80 per cent of Sports Interaction respondents taking the O208 (which carries identical -110 odds to the U208). The prevailing Charlotte trends have certainly had a hand in driving this total below 210, with the Hornets having gone 10-3 to the Under in their previous 13 games. The Lakers, however, have gone 4-1 O/U in their previous five overall and 4-1 O/U in their last five on the road.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Andre Drummond Era in Los Angeles has been quiet – at least so far. Drummond, who was acquired prior to the NBA trade deadline from the Cleveland Cavaliers, has led the team in rebounding in three straight games while averaging 8.5 boards in his four games in the Purple and Gold. But the scoring touch has been inconsistent to say the least, with Drummond averaging just 10.5 points (including a three-point dud last time out vs. the Knicks).
Charlotte Hornets
We laid out how both teams will be missing their top two players – but it gets much worse for the Hornets, who are likely to be without two other starters. Forward P.J. Washington is dealing with a right ankle sprain and has been downgraded from probable to out. And team scoring leader Terry Rozier (left knee tendinitis) is doubtful and likely won’t suit up. That puts plenty of pressure on the rest of the team, led by guard Devonte Graham and big man Jalen McDaniels.
LAL
CHA