Lakers (23–14) vs. Hornets (14–26) | Game 39 of 82
Where to Watch and What Time
Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, Calif.
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
Game Preview
The Lakers host the Hornets for the first time this season at Crypto.com Arena, playing their second of five games in seven days. This is the second matchup this year between the two, with the Lakers beating them by 10 back on Nov 10 in Charlotte.
The Lakers are coming off a bounce-back commanding 141-116 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, snapping a three-game skid behind a season-high 19 made 3s and 56% shooting from behind the arc.
With that performance, the Lakers’ 3-point percentage jumped from last to 23rd in the NBA at 34% shooting per contest from deep.
LeBron James was one rebound shy of a triple-double against the Hawks, ultimately lifting the Lakers with 31 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists in his first time playing back-to-back games this season.
Luka Dončić finished with 27 points and 12 assists while pouring in a team-high five 3s, while Deandre Ayton lived up to his Dominayton nickname, controlling the glass with a season-high 18 rebounds along with 17 points.
Rui Hachimura made his return and played just 18 minutes under a severe minutes restriction. He looked active on defense and flashed on possessions with some sequences of rustiness on his jumper, finishing with seven points (two rebounds) on three-for-seven shooting off the bench.
Hornets
The Hornets enter the game coming off their third loss in the last four games, falling 117-109 to the Clippers on Monday behind Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combining for 67 points.
LaMelo Ball, who is the Hornets’ centerpiece and playmaker at 20.1 ppg and 7.0 asts, scored 25 points on 24 shot attempts in Charlotte’s loss to the Clippers.
The Hornets have four starters, Miles Bridges at 19.5 ppg, Brandon Miller at 19.1 ppg, and Kon Knueppel at 19.1 ppg, who average double figures in scoring, but their issue lies in their second unit, with Colin Sexton being their only scoring punch at 15 ppg.
The Lakers stars should be able to get their shots going, but the story lies in the rest producing to come out with the win, showing where their potential against Atlanta truly lies when their 3 gets going.
The Hornets sit at 14-26 (12th in the East) on the season and are 7-14 on the road.
Notable Opponent Ranks Among the NBA
The Hornets have the 11th-rated offense (116.2) and the 21st-rated defense (116.6) in the NBA. Here are their notable rankings this season:
Charlotte currently sits:
Surprise stat: Having an electric player in Ball, who excels in the fast break with his vision and playmaking, it was a surprise to see the Hornets are 27th in fast break points (13.1 points).
Injury Report
Backup center Jaxson Hayes is questionable against the Hornets after missing Tuesday’s game against the Hawks.
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Jaxson Hayes (left hamstring soreness): Questionable
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Austin Reaves (left calf strain): Out
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Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain): Out
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Collin Sexton (hamstring): Questionable
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Moussa Diabate (right hip soreness): Questionable
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Mason Plumlee (right groin surgery): Out
Threads for the Game
The Lakers will wear their historic gold unis, while the Hornets will wear their teal Icon Edition uniforms.
Next Matchup
The Lakers will play another back-to-back in their next two games: Saturday in Portland and then back home on Sunday against the Raptors. This will conclude five games in seven days.
