The Los Angeles Lakers (9-38) are currently on a seven-game losing streak and will match up with the Charlotte Hornets (22-23) at the Staples Center. The game starts at 9:30 pm ET on Sunday, Jan. 31 and will air on TWC and FxS.
The Lakers lost a tough one against the Mavericks 92-90 the last time they played. Jordan Clarkson was the team’s high scorer, contributing 18 points. The Hornets, meanwhile, are coming off a 129-128 win over the Kings in their last outing. Troy Daniels shot 10-for-15 and led in scoring with 28 points.
Kemba Walker has been on a tear over the last five games for the Hornets, averaging 32.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.8 three-pointers.
The Hornets should minimize miscues in this matchup. They rank first in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.2%). Meanwhile, the Lakers force the fourth-fewest mistakes in the league, with just 12.7% of opponents’ possessions ending in a turnover.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Hornets won the first game 108-98. Walker was the game’s leading scorer with 38 points.
The Lakers enter the game with records of 9-40 Straight Up (SU) and 22-27 Against The Spread (ATS). They have performed well enough in the Eastern Conference to earn an ATS record of 11-6, but only have a SU record of 6-11.
Across the court, the Hornets head into the game with records of 22-24-1 ATS and 22-25 SU. In Western Conference games, Charlotte has gone 9-13 SU and 10-12 ATS. The Hornets are an excellent long-range shooting team with 464 three-point shots made (10.0 per game), ranking fourth in the NBA. The Hornets rarely make costly errors handling the ball. They have the fifth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the league at 1.78.
With the Hornets’ last win against Los Angeles, Charlotte is still behind in the head-to-head record over the past 10 meetings, 4-6 SU. The Lakers also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cha
Notes
LA Lakers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the LA Lakers last 14 games at home.
LA Lakers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games at home.
LA Lakers are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing Charlotte.
LA Lakers are 7-14 ATS in their last 21 games when playing Charlotte.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 9 games when playing Charlotte.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing at home against Charlotte.
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Charlotte.
LA Lakers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games when playing at home against Charlotte.
Charlotte ranks 16th in points per game with 101.6, while Los Angeles ranks 27th in points allowed with an average of 106.3 given up.
Los Angeles ranks 22nd in points allowed per home game (102.5 PPG), while Charlotte ranks 13th in points per away game with 99.6.
In contests where it has given up fewer than 100 points, Los Angeles has a 6-5 record. When Charlotte puts up fewer than 100, it is a subpar 5-18.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Lakers are just 3-33 this season. Charlotte is an outstanding 17-5 when it hits the century mark.
The Lakers have an offensive rating of 97.8 (ranked 29th). The Hornets rank 13th for their defensive rating of 102.5.
Los Angeles averages 98.4 possessions per game, scoring .978 points on each possession. While Charlotte averages fewer possessions per game with 98.4, the team scores more points per possession with 1.041.
Los Angeles has an average effective field goal percentage of 45.7%. Charlotte is a poor 10-23 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Los Angeles averages 24.0 three point attempts per game, and Charlotte attempts 29.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Lakers have an abysmal 4-19 record while the Hornets have a 20-17 record.
The fifth-ranked team, Charlotte has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.78 this season. Los Angeles ranks lower at 26th with an A/TO of 1.37.
The Lakers rank 18th in rebounds per game with 42.9, while the Hornets rank 12th with 43.7 per game.
The Lakers and the Hornets are well matched when it comes to rebounding. Los Angeles is ranked 24th in defensive rebounding, and Charlotte is also ranked 24th in offensive rebounding.
Charlotte has forced an average turnover percentage of 13.9% this season. Los Angeles has an abysmal 5-20 record when its TOV% is 13.9% or higher.
