Update 3:49 p.m. ET: Thursday’s game between the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers was postponed due to wildfires across the greater Los Angeles area. The date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time.
Original column below (published Jan. 9, 10:57 a.m. ET)
The Charlotte Hornets (8-27) are scheduled to open a 5-game road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers (20-15) Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Hornets vs. Lakersodds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Lakers won 2-0 in 2023-24, splitting 1-1 against the spread (ATS) while the Over hit in both meetings
With Wednesday’s Calgary Flames-LA Kings NHL game at Crypto.com Arena postponed due to the Southern California wildfires, the NBA is reportedly monitoring the situation, and this game could be canceled.
If the teams do play, Charlotte is looking to carry over momentum from a 115-104 win over the Phoenix Suns last time out Tuesday as a 4.5-point underdog. The Hornets have covered 3 in a row, while cashing the Under in 8 straight outings.
The Lakers lost 118-97 to the shorthanded Dallas Mavericks Tuesday as a 6-point favorite, halting a 3-game cover streak. The Under has hit in 3 of the past 4 outings. Los Angeles is 3-1 ATS in the past 4 games on its home floor.
Hornets at Lakers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 10:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hornets +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Lakers -375 (bet $375 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Hornets +9.5 (-115) | Lakers -9.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hornets at Lakers key injuries
Hornets
- G Tre Mann (back) out
- F Grant Williams (knee) out
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (foot) probable
- G Jalen Hood-Schifino (hamstring) out
- F LeBron James (foot) probable
- F Cam Reddish (back) questionable
- F Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) out
- F Christian Wood (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Hornets at Lakers picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 111, Hornets 105
Moneyline
The Lakers (-375) will cost you more than 3 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s way too expensive.
If this game is indeed played, L.A. couldn’t be blamed for having its mind elsewhere with all that is going on locally.
However, while the Hornets (+300) won last time out at home against Phoenix, they had lost the previous 10 games, while going 2-18 in the past 20 games since Nov. 23, so they can’t be trusted.
PASS.
Against the spread
The HORNETS +9.5 (-115) haven’t been winning a lot, but they’ve managed to cover 3 in a row, while going 4-1 ATS in the past 5 outings. Charlotte is 3-1 ATS in 4 games against Western Conference opponents this season.
The Lakers -8.5 (-110) are 5-2 ATS in the past 7 games at home, so be careful. But, again, L.A. is playing with plenty on its collective minds.
Over/Under
UNDER 221.5 (-110) is worth a look in Thursday’s battle.
The Under has cashed in 3 of the past 4 games for the Lakers, while it’s all about the Under for the Hornets lately. The total has gone low in 8 straight games for Charlotte. Go low, and feel confidently in doing so.
Online sports betting is LIVE in North Carolina!
North Carolina sports betting | North Carolina betting apps | North Carolina sportsbook promos | BetMGM North Carolina bonus code | Caesars North Carolina promo code | ESPN BET North Carolina promo | bet365 North Carolina bonus code | FanDuel North Carolina promo code | DraftKings North Carolina promo code
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Spurs Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
More NBA Picks and Predictions!
Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies odds, picks and predictions
Golden State Warriors at Detroit Pistons odds, picks and predictions
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers odds, picks and predictions