Los Angeles Lakers at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/9/2017

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Spectrum Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Spectrum Center to play the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, December 9, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Charlotte as 7 point favorites.

The Lakers head into this matchup with a mark of 9-15. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -3.3 as they are averaging 105.8 points per contest while giving up 109.1 per game. The Hornets have an overall record of 9-14. They currently are 4th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 104.6 points per game and surrendering 106.2, good for a point differential of -1.6.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 11-13-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 11-13-0 against the over/under

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 10-12-1 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 10-12-1 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/07/17 F Cody Zeller Knee is out indefinitely
12/07/17 C Frank Kaminsky Ankle is downgraded to OUT Friday vs Chicago

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma averages 16.2 points per game in 30.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 6.3 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%. Jordan Clarkson comes into this contest averaging 14.9 points per game while playing 22.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Lakers. He pulls down 2.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 76%.

Player Spotlight

Jeremy Lamb averages 15.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28 minutes per contest. He also averages 5 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Kemba Walker averages 22.7 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per contest this year for the Hornets. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 6.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers allow 109.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.9 rebounds a game which ranks 25th, and they give up 22.2 assists per contest which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 16.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league. Los Angeles averages 105.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.29 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 30th in the league. They average 46.3 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 17.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Hornets surrender 106.2 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 23 assists allowed per contest, and 18th with 43.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game this season. Charlotte is 16th in the league with 104.6 points per game this year. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -1.57. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 47 boards per game and 29th in assists per contest with 20.2. The Hornets are 30th in turnovers per game with 13.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 105.1, and their offensive rating of 101.9 is ranked 23rd. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 103 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 24th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA. Los Angeles is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Hornets are 21st in the league in defensive rating with 106.9, and their offensive rating of 105.4 is ranked 18th. They are 10th in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 29th. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Lakers/Hornets NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Charlotte -7

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