| MATCHUP | Charlotte Hornets | Los Angeles Lakers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 14-26 | 24-14 |
| Where | crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA | |
| When | Thursday, January 15, 2026 | |
| Time | 10:30 PM EST | |
| TV | Spectrum Sports Net | |
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Charlotte Hornets beat the Jazz, lost to the Clippers, and they play the Warriors next. The Hornets have lost 3 of their last 4 games.
The Charlotte Hornets are averaging 116.3 points on 45.8 percent shooting and allowing 116.6 points on 48.2 percent shooting. LaMelo Ball is averaging 19.9 points and 7.8 assists, while Miles Bridges is averaging 19.7 points and 6.4 rebounds. Brandon Miller is the third double-digit scorer and Kon Knueppel is dishing 3.6 assists. The Charlotte Hornets are shooting 37.2 percent from beyond the arc and 81.2 percent from the free-throw line. The Charlotte Hornets are allowing 37.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.
LA Lakers Betting Preview
The LA Lakers lost to the Kings, beat the Hawks, and they play the Trail Blazers next. The Lakers have lost 3 of their last 4 games.
The LA Lakers are averaging 115.9 points on 49.6 percent shooting and allowing 116.3 points on 48.6 percent shooting. Luka Doncic is averaging 33.3 points and 8 rebounds, while Austin Reaves is averaging 26.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. LeBron James is the third double-digit scorer, and Deandre Ayton is grabbing 8.3 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 34.2 percent from beyond the arc and 77.6 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 36.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Hornets have lost each of their last nine games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Lakers have won eight of their last nine home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in five of their last six games as home favorites against Southeast Division opponents.
Why the Charlotte Hornets will win
- The Hornets have won three of their last five games as road underdogs following a loss.
- The Hornets have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last nine night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Four of the Lakers’ last five games against Southeast Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of the Hornets’ last five games against the Lakers following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Marcus Smart is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
- LeBron James is one of only 14 players in the league to have recorded 10+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
Charlotte Hornets Player Facts
- Ryan Kalkbrenner is one of only five players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
- Brandon Miller ranks 28th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per game (2.7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 29th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.9).
- The Lakers rank 2nd in the league for field goal percentage this season (49.8%).
- The Hornets have missed the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons – longest active streak in the NBA.
- The Hornets rank 2nd in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (40.2).
Charlotte Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
The Lakers will be without Adou Thiero and Austin Reaves. Jaxson Hayes is questionable.
The Hornets will be without Mason Plumlee. Collin Sexton and Moussa Diabate are questionable.
Charlotte Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
The Hornets have played better ball than their record indicates, and they’ve covered 7 of their last 10 games. The Hornets are better than their record suggests. I wouldn’t be mad at you if you’re looking at the points. The Lakers continue to be hit or miss. However, the Lakers are still a veteran group and if they’re going to make a run at this thing, they can’t blow games like this. We’re in the middle of January. It’s time to start chipping away in the standings. Just 2.5 games outside of the second seed in the West, the Lakers need to take advantage of games like this. The line isn’t too crazy. I’ll lay the points with the Lakers.