The Charlotte Hornets (14-26) and Los Angeles Lakers (24-14) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Lakers are 4.5-point favorites over the Hornets on the spread (Lakers -4.5), with the over/under set at 233.5 total points. Los Angeles is a -190 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Charlotte is +155 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Hornets vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, January 15.
Hornets vs Lakers Prediction
- Hornets vs Lakers pick: LeBron James Over 36.5 Points, Rebounds, and Assists (-105)
My Lakers vs. Hornets best bet is on LeBron James over 36.5 points + rebounds + assists, with the best price currently available at bet365. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Hornets vs Lakers Odds
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | +155 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | -190 |
Hornets vs Lakers NBA Preview
The Hornets have split the first two games on their West Coast road trip, a dominant victory over the Jazz and an eight-point defeat to the Clippers.
They are just 4-6 in their last 10 games despite ranking second in the league in offensive rating and net rating. Three of those losses have been by two points or less, though a similar defeat will earn them a cover tonight.
The Hornets will remain in Southern California tonight as they take on the Lakers.
Point guard LaMelo Ball, a Chino Hills native, did not grow up a Lakers fan, but he certainly does not mind the home cooking. In seven career games against the Lakers, he averages 21.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, despite leaving one game early due to injury.
The Lakers are 26th in 3-point percentage defense, much to the chagrin of head coach J.J. Redick. Ball should be a beneficiary, as should Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller. As a team, Charlotte is third in 3-pointers made and fifth in three-point attempts.
On Monday night, the Lakers faced a Kings team that typically isn't very dangerous from the perimeter, yet Sacramento shot 17-for-26 from long range in a 124-112 victory over the Lakers.
However, they bounced back on Tuesday, cruising to a 141-116 victory over the Hawks to snap a three-game losing streak.
LeBron James has said he is TBD on back-to-backs for the remainder of the season, but he played on the second night of a back-to-back for the first time this season and had arguably his best game of the year.
He finished with 31 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, finishing a rebound shy of a triple-double for the second time in three games.
Luka Doncic was questionable for Tuesday's game, but that did not stop him from scoring 27 and dishing out 12 assists.
It was his third double-double in his last five games and 19th of the season. He is averaging 33.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game this season.
Hornets vs Lakers Prediction, Betting Analysis
LeBron James' career scoring average slipped under 27 points for the first time in many years, which got a bit of attention when you think about his usual 27-7-7 stat line.
However, James has been in a groove of late, averaging 27.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists while shooting 55% from the field in January. As a result, James has recorded 37 PRA in five of his last five games, with at least 43 in all five overs.
James has also cleared this line in each of his last three games against Charlotte, including 26 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists in the last meeting last season.
If he spends any time at power forward tonight in a smaller lineup, he may really shine offensively as the Hornets are giving up the most points to power forwards.
James is also +139 for a double-double and +1580 for a triple-double, which he has flirted with twice in his last three games.
A few of his baskets may be set up by Doncic, who has eight assists in each of his last eight games and in three of his last four games against the Hornets. Charlotte is 27th in assists allowed this season.
For Charlotte, Miller has a matchup to shine as the Lakers are allowing the most points to small forwards. He missed both games against the Lakers last season, but scored 33 points in his last game against them. He has scored 18 points in seven of his last 10 games.
I will round out this parlay with Ball to connect for three triples. He has done so in eight of his last 10 games and in each of the last three games that he finished against the Lakers.
Pick: LeBron James Over 36.5 Points, Rebounds, and Assists (-105, Fanatics)
Hornets vs. Lakers Parlay Picks
- LeBron James Over 37.5 Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- Brandon Miller 18+ Points
- Luka Doncic 8+ Assists
- LaMelo Ball 3+ Three Pointers Made
Parlay Odds: +505 via Fanatics
