Lakers vs. Hornets Pick
Can the Los Angeles Lakers send the host Charlotte Hornets to a second loss in as many nights? Tip-off is at 7PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Hornets are a 5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 213 points.
Los Angeles enters with a 9-15 overall record and 11-13 ATS after a 107-104 victory at the 76ers. Charlotte is 9-15 overall and 10-13-1 ATS following a 119-111 home overtime Dwiloss to the Bulls. Charlotte went 2-0 straight up and 0-1-1 ATS in two meetings last season. The over-under went 1-1.
Brandon Ingram hit a game-winning 3-pointer off an assist from Lonzo Ball just before the buzzer to sink Philadelphia. Ingram finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Julius Randle tallied 16 points, four assists and three rebounds off the bench. Jordan Clarkson added 16 points and two rebounds off the bench. Los Angeles led 57-49 at halftime before Plilly rallied late.
Dwight Howard registered a monster game with 25 points, 20 rebounds, six blocked shots and two assists in the loss to Chicago. Kemba Walker accounted for 20 points and five assists. Marvin Williams added 17 points and nine rebounds. Charlotte was outscored 13-5 in overtime.
Los Angeles is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Charlotte. The under is 5-0 in Los Angeles’ last five Saturday games.
Charlotte has been a disappointment in the Eastern Conference and it continued Friday night when it lost to at home to the worst team in the NBA in the Bulls. Now they get the Lakers one night later, a team that is more rested after upsetting the Sixers two nights ago. I like the Lakers here as it seems the Hornets shouldn’t be favored by five against anyone right now. Los Angeles’ young core is gaining confidence by the day, with Ingram in particular taking a huge leap forward in his sophomore campaign.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES LAKERS +5