Basketball fans will never know if LeBron James could beat an in-his-prime Michael Jordan but we do know LBJ takes great pride in demolishing the hoops legend’s NBA franchise. James seeks in 33rd win in his last 34 matchups against Charlotte when the Los Angeles Lakers touch down in North Carolina on Saturday.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Lakers arrive on the East Coast still smarting from the knockout punch James Harden delivered to them on Thursday night in Houston. The defending league MVP scored 50 points and picked up 11 assists and 10 rebounds against the Purple and Gold.

Los Angeles is now 1-3-1 against the spread in its last five contests and 11-16-1 ATS on the year. The 126 points it allowed against Houston was a bit out of character. You wouldn’t think it by looking at the roster, but the Lakers actually own the 11th best defence in the Association according to defensive net rating. The Under is 17-10-1 in LA’s 28 games this season.

Charlotte is coming off a frustrating home loss to the hapless New York Knicks on Friday night. The Hornets blew a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead and fell 126-124 in overtime to their the visitors. The result snapped a three-game win streak for Buzz City.

The Hornets are still 16-12 against the number and 14-14 straight up. The Over improved to 4-1 in Charlotte’s last five games and 15-13 on the campaign.

Los Angeles Lakers

Kyle Kuzma is settling nicely as the second option to LeBron in LA. The second-year forward has scored 20 or more points in six straight games and is averaging 18.1 points per game. Head coach Luke Walton would like Kuzma to be a little bit more accurate from deep. Kuzma is hitting just 31.6 percent of his attempts from 3-point range.

The Lakers are scoring 109.9 points per 100 possessions with Kuzma on the floor and just 101.1 while he’s on the bench.

Charlotte Hornets

Buzz City had six players hit double figures in the game against the Knicks, but the club lives and dies with its All-Star point guard. Kemba Walker is enjoying his best pro season and is average a career-high 26 points and 6.3 assists per game.

He’s a free agent after this season and he won’t come cheap if Charlotte wants to resign him. There’s a good chance Walker will finish the season on one of the three All-NBA teams which would mean the 28-year-old would qualify for the league super-max salary.

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Lance Stephenson (SG)

Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19

Rajon Rondo (PG)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19

Mike Muscala (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19

Charlotte

Shelvin Mack (PG)

Prob Wed Personal - 08 / 04 / 19

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF)

Prob Wed Personal - 07 / 04 / 19

Jeremy Lamb (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 02 / 04 / 19

Marvin Williams (PF)

Out Wed Foot - 02 / 04 / 19

Jeremy Lamb (SG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 03 / 19

Tony Parker (PG)

Prob Wed Personal - 24 / 03 / 19

Nicolas Batum (SF)

Prob Fri Illness - 23 / 03 / 19

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF)

Ques Fri Concussion - 20 / 03 / 19

Tony Parker (PG)

Out Tues Rest - 18 / 03 / 19

Tony Parker (PG)

Ques Fri Rest - 13 / 03 / 19

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Lance Stephenson (SG)	Ques Tues	Foot - 09 / 04 / 19	1-0	1-0	+ -
Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Rajon Rondo (PG)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Ques Tues	Neck - 04 / 04 / 19	2-2	2-2	+ -
Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Tues	Foot - 01 / 04 / 19	3-2	3-2	+ -
Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Ques Tues	Flu - 26 / 03 / 19	7-2	4-5	+ -
Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 24 / 03 / 19	7-3	4-6	+ -
Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Mike Muscala (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets.
Josh Hart (SG)	out for season	Knee - 21 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 18 / 03 / 19	7-5	5-7	+ -
Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday.

Charlotte

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Shelvin Mack (PG)	Prob Wed	Personal - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	1-1	+ -
Mack missed the last game due to a personal matter but is likely to be available against the Magic on Wednesday.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF)	Prob Wed	Personal - 07 / 04 / 19	3-0	1-1-1	+ -
Kidd-Gilchrist has been absent from the lineup during the past two games due to a personal matter but it is expected he will dress for Wednesday's matchup with the Magic.
Jeremy Lamb (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 02 / 04 / 19	5-1	1-4-1	+ -
Lamb is expected to take the court against the Pelicans on Wednesday despite dealing with right ankle discomfort.
Marvin Williams (PF)	Out Wed	Foot - 02 / 04 / 19	5-1	1-4-1	+ -
Williams has missed the previous five games due to a right foot strain and will not return Wednesday against the Magic.
Jeremy Lamb (SG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 26 / 03 / 19	7-2	4-4-1	+ -
Lamb exited the previous game due to a right ankle sprain but is expected to suit up for Friday's matchup with the Lakers.
Tony Parker (PG)	Prob Wed	Personal - 24 / 03 / 19	8-2	5-4-1	+ -
Parker has been absent from the lineup due to a personal matter but is likely to be available against the Magic on Wednesday.
Nicolas Batum (SF)	Prob Fri	Illness - 23 / 03 / 19	9-2	5-5-1	+ -
Batum has missed the past three games due to illness, but it is likely he will return against the Lakers on Friday.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF)	Ques Fri	Concussion - 20 / 03 / 19	9-3	6-5-1	+ -
Kidd-Gilchrist has missed the previous three games due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will be cleared in time for Friday's contest against the Lakers.
Tony Parker (PG)	Out Tues	Rest - 18 / 03 / 19	9-4	6-6-1	+ -
Parker will not suit up against the 76ers on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Tony Parker (PG)	Ques Fri	Rest - 13 / 03 / 19	10-5	7-7-1	+ -
Parker may receive a day of rest against the Wizards, leaving his status for Friday's contest clouded.

Lakers vs. Hornets Prediction