Hornets vs Lakers Picks and Predictions: Lakers Give Buzz City Much-Needed Bounceback Opportunity

The Charlotte Hornets created a buzz to start the season going 5-2, but they have dropped four games in a row straight up and against the spread since then. It may sound funny but maybe a date with the inconsistent Los Angeles Lakers is just what they’ll need to get back on track.

The Lakers have lost two in a row and are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall. They will be without LeBron James once against while Anthony Davis is questionable, so can they cover as short home favorites?

Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Hornets vs. Lakers on November 8.

Hornets vs Lakers odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The Lakers opened this matchup as 2.5-point home favorites and you can find them between -2.5 and -1.5 depending on the book. Meanwhile, the total hit the board at 224.5 and has hit as high as 227.5. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Hornets vs Lakers predictions

• Prediction: Hornets +2.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 226.5 (-110)
• Best bet: LaMelo Ball Over 25.5 points + assists (-120)

Predictions made on 11/08/2021 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Hornets vs Lakers game info

• Location: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Monday, November 8, 2021
• Tip-off: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBATV, Spectrum SportsNet, Bally Sports SE-CHA

Hornets vs Lakers betting preview

Injuries

Hornets: P.J. Washington PF (Questionable).
Lakers: LeBron James SF (Out), Anthony Davis PF (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Hornets are 17-7 ATS in their last 24 games following a straight-up loss of more than 10 points while the Lakers are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Lakers.

Hornets vs Lakers picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

It hasn’t been the start to the season the Lakers had hoped for. The team is 5-5 SU and sits 10th in the Western Conference heading into Monday’s matchup against the Hornets. And now the team is without LeBron James for the next little while as he recovers from an abdomen strain. 

The Lakers lost their first two games without King James and are hoping Anthony Davis can make it back tonight to shoulder some of the load. But even if Davis is back, they better be prepared to go shot-for-shot with the Hornets.

Despite the four-game losing streak, don’t overlook the Hornets. With LaMelo Ball running the show, they are one of the top offenses in the NBA through the early part of the season. The Hornets rank seventh in the Association in offensive rating and are second in points per game and 3-point percentage.

What made LeBron’s Lakers so dangerous the last two seasons was its effort on the defensive end of the floor. Now, with the likes of Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony logging big minutes for L.A., that’s just not the case anyone. Last year, the Lakers ranked first in defensive rating, this year they are ranked 13th and are giving up the fourth most points-per-game.

At the other end of the floor, there is just no flow and as a result, the Lakers rank 19th in offensive rating, and that will only continue to get worse without LeBron on the floor to direct the offense.

But it’s the Lakers' effort on defense (or lack thereof) that will keep the high-flying Hornets in this game and that has us leaning towards Buzz City to get the cover.

Prediction: Hornets +2.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

Now, when it comes to the total, the early money has come in on the Over and we’re going to have to lean the same way, even if we are losing some of the value.

While the Hornets have been an efficient offense this season, that defense in Buzz City still needs some work. Charlotte ranks dead last in the Association when it comes to defensive rating and also gives up an NBA-worst 117.6 points per game. 

While the Lakers' offense can be sloppy and static at times, they still manage 110.1 points per game thanks to ranking ninth in 3-point shooting percentage and playing at the highest pace in the NBA. This means more possessions for them and the Hornets. And when it comes to pace, the Hornets aren’t too far behind, ranking third in the league.

With a pair of highly suspect defenses going against two high-volume, high-octane offenses, yeah, it’s not surprising we’re leaning Over.

Prediction: Over 226.5 (-110)

Best bet

There is reason for optimism around the Hornets and that is because of LaMelo Ball's development. The point guard looks like he is capable of blooming into Michael Jordan’s first superstar since becoming the owner of the Hornets.

Ball’s sophomore season has gotten off to a fantastic start with the point guard averaging 20 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.8 rebounds this season. 

The Hornets’ point guard is also showing a ton of confidence shooting the ball from deep. Ball is shooting 41.3 percent from 3-point range and has hit 15 threes over his last five games. Over that span, he is averaging 23.2 points per game. 

When you also consider this should be a high-scoring game with a ton of possessions, Ball feels like a safe bet to go Over his points + assists total, considering it is set at a meager 25.5.

Pick: LaMelo Ball Over 25.5 points + assists (-120)

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