The Los Angeles Lakers have one more game before they get to go home but they likely won’t have an easy send-off from their longest road trip of the season. Even though they’re banged up and missing several key contributors at the moment, the Charlotte Hornets are a young team that never stops going at their opponents.
The Hornets lost their last game and it was a disappointing loss at that, dropping a game at home to a Hawks team missing Trae Young, John Collins, and several other key players. The Hornets led by 10 in the 4th quarter and couldn’t hold onto the lead, or 4th place in the Eastern Conference as Atlanta leapfrogged them with the win.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Lakers -1
- Money line: Hornets -105 / Lakers -115
- Over-under: 206.5
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Advice and prediction
Last night, I believed the Lakers would be able to use their size and their defense to pull out a win in a low-scoring game. I’m sticking with the same mindset tonight. The Lakers struggled mightily offensively against the Knicks and while the Hornets play hard, they are not as physically imposing as the Knicks are at every position.
While the Knicks have plus-size at every spot on the floor, the Hornets start two smaller guards and they’re currently starting 6-7 PJ Washington at center. Washington, Miles Bridges and Cody Zeller will also have to check Andre Drummond. The Knicks took Drummond out of the game with constant double-teams but it’s unclear whether the Hornets, who value the 3-point shot on both ends, will follow the same strategy.
I’m leaning on the Lakers pedigree, even though they’re going up against a team with a lot of talent on the road. I also think the under hits tonight.
Prediction: Lakers 103, Hornets 95
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