Free NBA Pick: Hornets vs. Lakers NBA Odds
Looking for Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Hornets taking on the Lakers on Thursday, February 18th, 2021 at Staples Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Hornets Lakers matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(20-18) Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers (27-13)
Date: Thursday, February 18th
Time: 10:00 PM EST
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
NBA Moneyline Odds: Hornets +282 | Lakers -332
NBA Betting Odds: Lakers -8
NBA Betting Total: 227.5
Thursday, February 18th, the Charlotte Hornets will play the Los Angeles Lakers in the first meeting this season.
The Lakers hold the all-time record having won 36 matches of the 59 played. Last season, the squads played a single time with the Lakers taking that match 120-101.
Charlotte Hornets
LiMelo Ball has brought a swagger to the Hornets which has propelled the team up the ladder.
Charlotte is on a four-game win streak and depending on how they fare in Denver they’ll either extend it to five games or be looking to begin a new win streak.
Terry Rozier has found his niche with LiMelo in the starting rotation playing with more confidence than witnessed with him playing alongside Devonte Graham.
In truth, head coach James Borrego has tons of options with so many quality guards and wings at his disposal.
For the moment it’s transpired into Rozier, Ball and Gordon Hayward being the starters but Borrego has Graham and Malik Monk at his disposal as well.
That means he can go uber small or have two separate lineups each featuring players that can light up a team via their scoring and playmaking skills.
They’ll be tested facing this strong defensive Lakers crew even without Anthony Davis available.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have navigated the schedule well without Anthony Davis available. Although PJ Washington is showing signs of growth he isn’t the type of big man that will cause the Davisless Lakers problems like a Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid would.
While LA stumbled briefly (four-game losing streak) they’ve recovered winning five of their last seven matches. The most recent, an impressive 137-121 blowout of the Wolves.
LeBron James dropped a triple-double of 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists while five teammates scored in double-figures.
Specifically, Montrezl Harrell (25), Dennis Schroder (16), Kyle Kuzma (16), Talen Horton-Tucker (16), and Markieff Morris (12) were the double-figure contributors.
Kostas Antetokoumpo and Marc Gasol are both day-to-day dealing with health and safety protocols. Alex Caruso (concussion protocol), Davis (Achilles), and Jared Dudley (torn MCL) are all out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Hornets are 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Lakers are 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA Prediction:
The Lakers top-ranked defense will be tested by this Hornets crew who excel at ball movement (rank second for assists).
Ball movement is the focus for Charlotte and they play with such unselfishness it’s difficult to game plan for. Outside of Rozier who has embraced the role of closer the Hornets simply move the ball until they find an open shot or a good mismatch.
That’s the beauty of a team that shares the ball and it’s also why the Hornets are becoming arguably the most fun team to watch on NBA League Pass.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Hornet +8
Although the Lakers will have the rest advantage the Hornets have a ton of youth and (again depending on the outcome Wednesday) could find their confidence bolstered as they arrive in LA.
The Lakers likely net the victory but the Hornets will keep it close – and watch out for the trap because LA hasn’t seen this new iteration of the Hornets last playing them in the fall of 2019.
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