Hornets vs Lakers Picks and Prediction – 1/10/2025

On Thursday, the Charlotte Hornets (7-27) face off against the Los Angeles Lakers (20-15) at the crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions.

Los Angeles comes into this matchup on a one-game losing streak, but has won three of their last five games prior to their game against Dallas. In a closely contested game against the Houston Rockets, which ended in a 119-115 defeat for the Lakers, Anthony Davis stood out by scoring 30 points. This season, Davis has been a crucial player for Los Angeles, topping the team's scoring chart with a solid average of 26 points per game. Trailing him is LeBron James, who is the team's second-best scorer, managing an average of 24 points this year. Davis isn't just a scoring powerhouse; he also dominates the boards for the Lakers, averaging an impressive 11.8 rebounds per game, making him the team's leading rebounder. Meanwhile, LeBron is showing his playmaking prowess by leading the team in assists, averaging 8.9 per game. Los Angeles has been performing well offensively, scoring an average of 118 points over the last five matches. This strong performance has helped them secure the top spot in the Pacific Division standings. The Lakers are eager to rebound from their loss against Houston as they prepare to face the Charlotte Hornets, a team struggling this year in the league. On the season as a whole, the Lakers are averaging 112.3 points per game.

Charlotte enters this game on a ten-game losing streak prior to their game against Phoenix. In a 115-105 defeat against Cleveland, LaMelo Ball stood out by scoring 24 points for the Charlotte Hornets. This season, Ball has been a key offensive player for the team, leading Charlotte with an impressive average of 29.8 points per game. Behind him, Brandon Miller has emerged as the team's second-highest scorer, contributing an average of 21.5 points per game. On the defensive end, Miles Bridges has been instrumental, topping the team’s rebounding stats with an average of 7.8 boards per game. Additionally, LaMelo Ball has been the primary playmaker for the Hornets, averaging 7.3 assists per game. In their last five matchups, Charlotte's defense has given up an average of 109.4 points per game, and they find themselves near the bottom of the Southeast Division standings. As the Hornets prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers on their home court, they are eager to halt their losing streak with a surprise victory. Currently, the Hornets average 105.8 points scored per game overall this season.

The Hornets have struggled significantly in the NBA this season, managing to secure victory in only seven out of their thirty-four games. Their performance on the road has been particularly poor, with the team losing fourteen out of the sixteen away games they've played. In contrast, the Lakers have shown strength when playing on their home court, emerging victorious in twelve of their seventeen home games. With this solid home record, the Lakers are eager to capitalize on the Hornets' vulnerabilities and aim for a commanding win in their upcoming matchup. Final Score Prediction, Los Angeles Lakers win and cover, 116-101.