Lakers vs Hornets Preview: 10 Losses or 10 Wins
Preview, predictions and more for Lakers vs Hornets on Sunday night as LA tries to avoid a 10-game losing streak
The Los Angeles Lakers have lost nine consecutive games, the longest losing streak this season and one loss shy of the longest losing streak in franchise history at 10 games. As they host the Charlotte Hornets at STAPLES Center on Sunday night, it’ll be a battle for either their 10th win on the season or their 10th loss in a row.
That those are the stakes for the Lakers in this game is wholly indicative of just how bad things are in Los Angeles this year and the primary reason for the jaded mental state of the fan-base. Only making matters worse is that neither the Lakers nor the Hornets will be close to full-strength on Sunday night.
The Lakers will be without rookie Larry Nance Jr. as he’s still recovering from a knee injury suffered a couple of weeks ago and there’s a chance that Kobe Bryant will be out of action as well, though the latter will likely come down to a game-time decision. The Hornets, however, are much worse off as Al Jefferson, Cody Zeller, and Nicolas Batum are already listed as out while Jeremy Lamb and Jeremy Lin are both questionable to play against LA.
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Even still, perhaps the most problematic matchup that the Hornets offer in regards to the Lakers is at full-health in point guard Kemba Walker. With how any of the Lakers guards from Jordan Clarkson to Lou Williams to D’Angelo Russell have defended shifty, speedy point guards like Walker this season, the Charlotte star could be in line to light up the box score in Los Angeles.
For the Lakers, though, this is still a winnable contest because of the advantage they could theoretically have in the frontcourt. With Jefferson and Zeller out for Charlotte, the likes of Julius Randle could have a big night both scoring and rebounding while Roy Hibbert will have an advantage on the glass as well—whether he chooses to take that advantage will remain to be seen.
This game could really go either way as both teams have matchups in various aspects of the contest, but either possible outcome is mildly depressing for the Lakers. They will either pick up their 10th victory out of 50 games played or tie a record losing streak at 10 games.
How’s it going, Ben Simmons?
Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Sunday, Jan. 31
Start Time: 6:30 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Hornets -3.5
Moneyline: Hornets -170, Lakers +150
O/U: 201.5
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: Larry Nance Jr. (knee)—Out, Kobe Bryant (shoulder)—Questionable, Lou Williams (illness)—Probable
Charlotte Hornets: Nicola Batum (toe)—Out, Cody Zeller (shoulder)—Out, Al Jefferson (knee)—Outs, Jeremy Lin (ankle)—Questionable, Jeremy Lamb (toe)—Questionable, P.J. Hairston (elbow)—Probable, Brian Roberts (hand)—Probable
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Prediction
With the Hornets at full-strength and health, they would have the clear advantage in this matchup with the Lakers. Since that’s far from the case, though, things are a bit more up in the air in terms of the outcome. While Kemba Walker likely has a monster outing, I like the Lakers to control the game on the interior with Julius Randle and maybe even Brandon Bass and to eek out win No. 10 on the year.
93. 20. 88. 170. Final
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