Los Angeles Lakers at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/15/2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Spectrum Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers head to Spectrum Center to take on the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The opening line for this game has Charlotte as 1 point favorites.

The Lakers have a record of 17-11. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They have a point differential of 1.6 as they average 113.0 points per game while giving up 111.4 per contest. The Hornets have an overall mark of 14-13. They currently are 1st in the Southeast Division. They total 113.9 points per contest and give up 110.7, which is a point differential of 3.2.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 11-15-1 against the spread this season

The Los Angeles Lakers are 10-17-0 against the over/under this year

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 16-11-0 against the spread this season

The Charlotte Hornets are 14-13-0 against the over/under this year

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/13/18 SF Michael Beasley Personal is questionable Saturday vs Charlotte
12/08/18 SF Brandon Ingram Ankle is out indefinitely
11/15/18 PG Rajon Rondo Hand is out indefinitely

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/14/18 SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Personal is upgraded to probable Friday vs New York

Player Spotlight

LeBron James comes into this game averaging 28.4 points per contest while playing 35.0 minutes per night this year. He grabs 7.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 7.0 assists per game. His FG percentage is 53% while his free throw percentage is 69%. Kyle Kuzma averages 18.1 points per contest in 32.0 minutes per game. He averages 2.1 assists per game and 5.7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker scores 26.0 points per contest while playing 34.8 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.5 rebounds per contest and has 6.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Jeremy Lamb averages 15.0 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 28.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.5 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 113.0 points per contest, which is 9th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.6 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 7th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They average 46.0 boards per contest and 23.9 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 7th with 15.1 per game. The Lakers allow 111.4 points per contest, which is 20th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 12th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.4 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they allow 23.5 assists per game which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 8th in the NBA with 113.9 points per contest this season. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 3.22. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 11th in the league. They are 21st in the NBA in rebounding with 43.8 boards per contest and 16th in assists per game with 23.9. The Hornets are 30th in turnovers per contest with 11.6. The Hornets give up 110.7 points per game, which ranks them 16th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 15th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 25.2 dimes allowed per game and 24th with 46.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Hornets are 18th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 108.4, and their offensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 11th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 102.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 6th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 19th in the NBA. Los Angeles is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 25th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 10.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 13th in the league. The Hornets are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.1, and their defensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 10th in the league with 100 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 13th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles +1

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