Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 18/03/2021, 09:30  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 18/03/2021 at 10:36 in NBA Prediction

Defending champions LA Lakers are second in their division going into this match against Charlotte Hornets. They have a season record of 27-13 but that puts them behind the Phoenix Suns in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They've actually won one more game than the Suns but their win percentage is .009 less than the division leaders who have played two games less. A win for the Lakers will see them stay second but only -002 behind. They are third in the overall conference table behind Utah Jazz and the Suns. Recent form has seen the Lakers win their last three games. They needed that as the previous two had been lost. The last two wins have come against Minnesota and the Golden State Warriors by an aggregate margin of 47 points. Eight home games have been lost this season but the last five have produced four victories and in three of them, they conceded 100 points or less.

The Charlotte Hornets are second in the Southeast division of the Eastern Conference. They trail Miami Heat by two wins but only have a .513 win percentage record and that's .162 less than their opponents. They have won 20 matches but have lost 19. Overall in the Eastern Conference, they are fifth so a play-off position is likely. 11 out of 19 away games have been lost this season including three of the last five. The Hornets had won four successive games before a 129-104 loss at Denver Nuggets in their most recent match. Go for the Lakers to win this match.