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Hornets vs. Lakers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read
Mar. 18, 2021
by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Non-conference NBA action will resume on Thursday night with the Lakers set to host the Hornets during the final matchup on NBA TV’s nationally televised slate. So, VI is getting you ready with a variety betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top matchups.

Hornets vs. Lakers Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Hornets vs. Lakers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: Lakers -8
  • Money-Line: L.A. -330, Charlotte +270
  • Total: 227

The Lakers come into Thursday’s matchup as an 8-point favorite – marking the first time Los Angeles has been favored by eight or more points since they beat the Grizzlies back on February 12th as 8.5-point chalk.

While the total for this contest currently sits at OU 227, which is just the second time across the Hornets’ past five games that the ‘over-under’ has been set below 230.


The Hornets play with no rest on Thursday night as they face the Lakers for the first time this season. (AP)

Hornets vs. Lakers Current Form-Last Game

After going 1-4 ATS in the five games immediately following Anthony Davis’ most recent injury, the Lakers head into Thursday’s matchup boasting wins against the number in six of their last seven games – with L.A.’s only loss ATS during that timeframe coming in a 10-point loss to the Suns.

The Lakers' most recent matchup resulted in a 16-point victory over the Timberwolves – as LeBron James and Montrezl Harrell paced head coach Frank Vogel’s team in scoring with 25 points apiece on the way to L.A.’s third consecutive win against the spread.

The Hornets had a four-game winning streak snapped in a 25-point loss to the Nuggets on Wednesday night – with Terry Rozier’s 21 points on 7-13 from the field serving as the only bright spot during the defeat.


Hornets vs. Lakers Head-to-Head

  • Oct. 27, 2019 - Lakers 120 vs. Hornets 101, L.A. -13.5, Over 217
  • Mar. 29, 2019 - Lakers 129 vs. Hornets 115, L.A. +2, Over 229.5

The Lakers have won four of their last five regular season matchups against the Hornets – with Charlotte’s most recent victory over Los Angeles coming in a contest that Kemba Walker participated in.

The most recent meeting between these teams occurred back in October 2019, which resulted in a 19-point win for the Lakers – as Davis and James combined for 49 points on 17-33 from the floor on the way to an easy victory for Los Angeles.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Charlotte Hornets Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 20-19 SU, 21-17-1 ATS, 21-17-1 OU
  • Road: 8-11 SU, 10-9 ATS, 15-4 OU

Prior to Charlotte’s blowout loss against the Nuggets last night, the Hornets had won four straight games against opponents possessing losing records – which is indicative of how their season has gone so far this year.

The Hornets currently own a SU record of 20-18 – which positions them in fifth place in this year’s Eastern Conference standings. Charlotte’s flaws have shown through during their relatively difficult matchups though – having lost seven of their last nine games against opponents with winning records.

High-scoring affairs have been a predictable occurrence in Hornets games so far this year – with the total going over the number in 54% of Charlotte’s games so far this season, which ranks 11th in the league in that department.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 27-13 SU, 20-20 ATS, 15-25 OU
  • Home: 13-8 SU, 9-12 ATS, 11-10 OU

The Lakers head into this matchup riding a three-game winning streak SU, while riding a four-game winning streak ATS – which consists of SU victories in each their last three matchups.

The only loss in this stretch came to Sacramento by just three points in a contest that James, Davis, Marc Gasol, and Alex Caruso all did not participate in back on March 3rd.

The ‘over’ is 15-25 in Lakers games so far this year, which is the lowest clip in the league in that department. Make note though, that the total has gone ‘over’ in three of the last five matchups containing Los Angeles.

Key Injuries

Charlotte Hornets

  • None

Los Angeles Lakers

  • PF Anthony Davis: Achilles - Out
  • C Marc Gasol: Quarantine - Questionable
  • SG Alex Caruso: Neck - Out

Player Prop Best Bet

Montrezl Harrell – Over 18.5 Points (-108)

Since the injury to Davis back in mid-February, the Lakers have possessed a rotating door in their frontcourt – with Harrell being the main beneficiary to the All-Pro’s absence for the couple weeks or so.

Harrell heads into Thursday’s matchup in the midst of his most productive scoring stint of the season so far, having scored 25 or more points in three of his last four games – with his lowest output across that stretch being his 17-point performance against Indiana.

I’ll back Harrell to have another solid day on the scoreboard here, as I expect King James to let his teammates do the majority of the heavy lifting against a subpar opponent in the Hornets.

Hornets vs. Lakers Prediction

The Lakers enter Thursday’s matchup having claimed victory by double-digits in two of their last three games, with L.A.’s only loss during that timeframe coming in a 3-point loss to Sacramento – which was a contest LeBron and Davis both did not participate in.

I’ll back the Lakers to win and cover in a fourth straight matchup here, as Los Angeles seems to finally be figuring how to operate efficiently without AD in the lineup.

Score Prediction: Lakers 119, Hornets 106
Best Bet: L.A. -8


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