As the Los Angeles Lakers attempt to climb the Western Conference standings, they have a layup of a matchup against a banged-up Charlotte Hornets tonight at the Spectrum Center.
With both LeBron James and Anthony Davis probable to suit up against this lowly Charlotte team, my Lakers vs. Hornets predictions expect the All-Star duo to carry Los Angeles to an easy win.
Get your NBA picks in before this 7 p.m. ET tip on Monday, January 27.
Lakers vs Hornets prediction
My best bet
Lakers -6 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Even with LaMelo Ball healthy and putting up video game numbers after missing 11 games between November and December, the Charlotte Hornets can’t beat the injury bug. Charles Lee’s team may have the face of the franchise thriving, but budding second-year star Brandon Miller (21 points per game) is now done for the season, joining veterans Grant Williams, Tre Mann, and Cody Martin on the shelf.
In theory, a lineup that includes Ball, Miller, Miles Bridges, and Mark Williams should be challenging but injuries and a lack of depth have buried the Hornets at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings alongside the Washington Wizards.
It’s hard to imagine them turning the season around now with Miller and three key depth pieces out. And they'll certainly have a hard time making much noise against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight, assuming LeBron James and Anthony Davis are on the floor.
Charlotte is just 28th in points per game (107.5) and 27th in offensive rating (109) and taking its second-leading scorer out of the equation is killing an already lacking offense. The Hornets are last in the league in field-goal percentage (43.1%) and this Lakers defense is holding opponents to a respectable 112.7 PPG.
It’s also giving up the ninth-fewest threes per game (13.5) and the second-fewest free throws (14.3), making it that much more difficult for this Hornets offense to find extra opportunities for points.
That doesn’t bode well for them with James and Davis having the Lakers ranked 13th in offensive rating (114.1), eighth in field-goal percentage (47.5%), and sixth in free throws per game (18.1).
The Hornets have also had some trouble defending inside the arc, where they allow opponents to shoot the ninth-highest 2-point percentage in the league (55.4%) and are prone to putting opponents on the line — allowing the 10th-most free throws per game (17.7).
Charlotte just doesn’t have the offensive firepower to keep up with a Lakers team that’s covered in three straight outings.
Lakers vs Hornets same-game parlay
Lakers -5.5
Under 222.5
LeBron James Over 8.5 assists
While the Lakers are poised to put up enough points to cover as 6-point favorites, I don’t expect this to be a high-scoring affair. These teams are a combined 49-36 betting the Under this season, with Charlotte being the best Under team in the NBA.
That’s due in part to its offense being putrid while the defense has been solid, but it’s not going to be effective enough to completely shut LeBron down. The 40-year-old is fourth in the NBA in assists per game this season (9.0) and the Hornets are allowing 26.3 per game.
James should have every opportunity to hit his season average against Charlotte, and he’s put up double-digit apples in three of his last four games. On the season, he’s gone Over 8.5 assists in 19 of 40 games.
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Lakers vs Hornets odds
Lakers vs Hornets live odds
Lakers vs Hornets opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles -6 (-110) | Charlotte +6 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -245 | Charlotte +200
- Over/Under: Over 218.5 (-110) | Under 218.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Lakers vs Hornets spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Lakers opened as between 5.5 and 6-point road favorites with little movement leading up to tip, though some books are offering the Hornets +6.5.
- Los Angeles is 22-21 ATS this season, including 4-2 over its last six, while Charlotte is 22-19-1.
- The Over/Under opened as low as 218.5 and has steadily increased to between 222 and 222.5 at most books.
- The Lakers are just 20-23 betting the Over this season, and the Hornets are even worse at 16-26.
Lakers vs Hornets trend
The Los Angeles Lakers have hit the Moneyline in 50 of their last 82 games (+23.35 Units / 13% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Hornets.
How to watch Lakers vs Hornets
| Location | Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC |
| Date | Monday, 1-27-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | SPECSN, FDSN |
Lakers vs Hornets latest injuries
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