The Los Angeles Lakers host the Charlotte Hornets tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET. The Lakers beat the Hornets in their first matchup this season, 121-111, on November 10, 2025. After losing three straight games from January 7 to January 12, the Lakers returned home and picked up a big 25-point victory over the Atlanta Hawks on January 13. The Lakers are 5-1 in their previous six games against the Hornets.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Lakers are a -3.5-point favorite while the Hornets are a +150 underdog. Below, I preview tonight’s Hornets vs. Lakers game and give my prediction.
Hornets vs. Lakers preview, prediction
The Lakers have lacked depth at times this season, but still possess one of the top duos in the NBA with Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Doncic is leading the NBA in points per game this season with 33.4 to go along with 8.8 assists (fourth in the NBA) and 7.9 rebounds. Doncic has recorded at least 30 points in 22 of the 31 games he has played in.
In his 23rd season at 41 years old, James is averaging 22.4 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per contest. James is off to a good start in January, scoring 27.7 throughout seven contests with three 30-point performances. Also, James has scored 26 points in two of his last three games against Charlotte. Without Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton has been the Lakers’ third-best player, averaging 14 points and 8.8 boards this season.
The Hornets have gone 14-26 this season and are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte has lost three of their previous four contests and lost on Monday, 117-109, to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Hornets have four players averaging at least 19 points per game. LaMelo Ball is averaging 20.1 points, his lowest since his second season. But Ball has displayed his elite scoring touch recently, recording 25-plus in two of his last three. Miles Bridges (19.5 PPG), Brandon Miller (19.1 PPG), and Kon Knueppel (19.1 PPG) round out Charlotte’s top four scorers.
Hornets vs. Lakers, best bet
The Lakers’ last six victories have been by at least four points. With Doncic and James playing at the elite level they have been, it will be hard for Charlotte to keep up with them. The Hornets’ top four scorers all have a ton of upside, but have been too inconsistent on a nightly basis. Taking the Lakers -4.5 on DraftKings Sportsbook is my favorite play in this game.
