Charlotte Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers betting tips and predictions for Monday’s NBA game at Spectrum Center. With 2 wins in their last 3 games, the Lakers continue their road trip with a visit to Charlotte as they take on the Hornets for the 2nd and final time this season. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Charlotte Hornets
Although they’ve lost their last game 123-106 against the Brooklyn Nets, the Charlotte Hornets will be feeling good about themselves. The return of LaMelo Ball has rejuvenated an otherwise mentally weak team, without him in the line-up they were just 6-18 this season. In his last 5 games he is averaging 24.2 points and 8.4 assists per game, he will be the driving force behind all of their attack tonight as they take on the Lakers.
The Hornets won the 1st meeting of the season at crypto.com Arena a little over a week ago, but it took a 134 point effort on offense to do so. With Kelly Oubre Jr., Dennis Smith Jr and Cody Martin all potentially missing tonight’s game, they could have a hard time reaching that number again. Covering the spread against the Lakers in this building has been challenging, they’ve failed to do so in their last 9 games.
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James gave us all a brilliant present for his 38th birthday as he dropped 47 points on the Atlanta Hawks and gave his Lakers a 130-121 win, their 2nd in the last 3 games. The 5-game road trip concludes tonight in Charlotte, so the Lakers will be hoping to come out strong right from the gate here in order to finish off the trip with a winning record. It won’t be easy though, they’ve covered the spread just twice in their last 8 games. Anthony Davis remains out with his foot injury, he could be back on the court some time in late January. LeBron James and Lonnie Walker IV are both questionable, but they should be able to suit up according to the latest reports. The Lakers will need everyone to step up offensively here, as that’s the type of a game I’m expecting this to be.
The two teams are equally talented, but the only thing separating them is that one team has Lebron James and other does not. We’ve seen some heroic performances from him in the last couple of weeks, I’m expecting James to shine once again as he takes on Michael Jordan’s team here. Take the Lakers as road underdogs.
Charlotte Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions & Odds
At 232.5 I think the projected total has been set at just the right number for tonight’s game. The two teams love a high scoring game, proof of that can be seen in the 1st meeting of the season which ended with 264 points scored. The 3 most recent meetings have all gone over the total, with an average of 248 points per game scored.
Charlotte is shooting an impressive 50% from the field in those 3 games, while the Lakers are at a little over 47%. LA’s style of play on the road has resulted in 13 of their 20 games cashing on the over, including 8 of their last 9. Without Anthony Davis there’s a huge hole in the middle of the court and teams are just abusing them on the inside. The last 7 of 9 Lakers games vs East teams have all gone over the total, I think backing the over is the correct call for tonight’s game.
