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Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers: Odds, Injury Report, Prediction

By Evan Birchmore

Mar 18, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) greets Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) before the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) greets Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) before the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Charlotte Hornets will play their second straight game in Los Angeles tonight, this time facing off against the Lakers after taking on the Clippers on Wednesday night.

Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers: Odds and Moneyline (FanDuel)

Point spread: Lakers -3.5

Money line: Lakers-156/Hornets + 132

Over/under: 239.5

Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers: Injury Report

Hornets: Cody Martin (left knee procedure) is OUT. Terry Rozier (right hip contusion) and Dennis Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) are QUESTIONABLE.

Lakers: Anthony Davis (right foot) and Juan Toscano-Anderson (right ankle sprain) are OUT. Austin Reaves (right ankle sprain) is QUESTIONABLE. LeBron James (left ankle soreness) and Russell Westbrook (left foot soreness) are PROBABLE.

Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers: Key Statistic

Points in the paint

Both the Hornets and Lakers tend to score in the paint at a high percentage. 49.3% of Charlotte’s scoring production comes in the paint, while 49.1% of Los Angeles’ scoring comes in the paint. This places them second and third in the league in percentage of points scored in the paint, respectively.

Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers: Key Matchup

LaMelo Ball vs. LeBron James

LaMelo Ball and LeBron James will likely not be tasked with guarding one another in tonight’s game, but this contest will likely be won by the team whose star is able to rise to the occasion and deliver a star performance.

LaMelo Ball has hit the ground running after missing time with an ankle injury; in five games since his return, he is averaging 25.8 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 43.1% from three-point range. Meanwhile, LeBron James has been having the greatest 20th season in the history of basketball, posting a line of 27.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on 48.6% shooting.

Assuming James plays in tonight’s game, this will be only the second time that Ball and James have squared off, as James has missed the last three contests between the Hornets and Lakers.

Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers: Prediction

Both Charlotte and Los Angeles enter tonight’s game on losing streaks, as the Hornets were blown out by the Clippers on Wednesday night while the Lakers have lost two straight games against the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. However, if the Lakers have the services of LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, they should be able to win this contest based on sheer talent.

100. 170. 112. 20. Final

What is next for the Charlotte Hornets?

Monday, December 26th – at Portland Trail Blazers (10:00 p.m. ET)

Note: Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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