basketball | Friday, December 23, 2022 12:13 PM

Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets Best Bet: Lakers To Get Back To Winning Ways

Sam Cox

Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets Best Bet: Friday, December 23rd

The 13-18 Los Angeles Lakers are narrow favourites over the 8-24 Charlotte Hornets for their clash in southern California on Friday night. Charlotte has lost nine of its last 10 to slump to the second-worst record in the NBA. Los Angeles has lost consecutive games to the Suns and Kings, conceding 264 points across the two contests.

Anthony Davis, who was playing at an MVP level, is out for the foreseeable future for the Lakers. Juan Toscano-Anderson is also unavailable, and Austin Reaves is listed as questionable for this game. Russell Westbrook and LeBron James are both on the injury report, but they are expected to suit up here.

Cody Martin is not healthy for the Hornets after undergoing a procedure on his knee last month. Guard duo Terry Rozier and Dennis Smith Jr are questionable with hip and ankle ailments respectively.

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Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets Preview
Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets Best Bet

Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets Preview

Sat, Dec 24. 03:40 (UK time)

The Lakers are obviously a less formidable opponent without Davis. Their defence, in particular, suffers. While the Hornets are not blessed with a tonne of elite offensive talent, they are more dangerous with LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward available. This team can easily get into the 110s, and is just a couple of games removed from dropping 125 on the Kings.

Charlotte’s defence, however, is abysmal. They are the worst in the league on that end. Only a couple of teams foul more often per opponent field-goal attempt, and they rank below league average when it comes to preventing opponent shots at the rim. This is one area of strength for the Lakers – they lead the league in attempts at the cup, and shoot over 68% on such looks.

The offence is not the same with Davis in street clothes, but Westbrook and James can still attack. The Lakers can take advantage of Charlotte’s foul-prone nature – only three teams get more free throw attempts than Los Angeles.

Hitting outside shots is going to be especially vital for the Lakers here, too. James and Westbrook will generate a lot of perimeter looks against a Charlotte defence which is only league average in opponent three-point rate.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets Best Bet

The Lakers are top 10 in three-point percentage over the last 10 games even if they don’t take many. Over the same period, Charlotte is making under 33% of its shots from beyond the arc.
Perhaps the only factor to be wary of here is Charlotte’s 12-5 against the spread record on the road. They also surprised us this week against the Kings.

This small number in the Lakers’ favour is largely down to Davis’ absence. They still have more than enough talent to get the win here and cover at home for the ninth time this season.

Selection: Los Angeles Lakers -2.5
Best Odds: 1.83 (Boyle Sports)
Stakes: 8/10

Odds as of 1:00 pm December 23, 2022. Odds may now differ.

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