Los Angeles Lakers starts the east coast of their six-game road trip in Charlotte against Hornets Monday night. The team has won three equal and will be looking for their fourth, but cannot afford to overlook a Hornets team that has superstar Lamelo Ball back and has won four of their last six as well.
Lakers have looked good recently and it has been a true team effort. Of course, things start with Anthony Davis, who continues to be the team’s best player and comes from another dominant performance against the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James constantly fills the role he needs for a given night, sometimes doing so with scoring, others with his playmaking and Austin Reaves has really settled in his Point Guard role well.
But what has really taken lacquers to another level recently has been the role players are coming up. Dorian Finney-Smith becomes more comfortable and gets the start with Rui Hachimura again for another equal game due to left calf standness. Gabe Vincent has also been excluded for LA due to left knee soreness.
With that comes several options for Max Christie, who has grown into a reliable defender and shooting game in that starting lineup.
The return of Jarred Vanderbilt against Warriors was also excellent to see as he immediately had an influence on the defense with three steals in just 12 minutes. He will slowly be integrated back into the rotation, but the game by Rookie Dalton Knecht should not be ignored either. Sharpshooter has scored in double figures in three of the last four matches and can finally find its rhythm as a reserve. And with Vincent out, JJ Redick could turn to shake Milton or Cam Reddish for a few minutes, so both need to be ready.
The Hornets’ record may suggest that Lakers could be in an easy evening, but it would be a mistake to take this team light, even without rising star Brandon Miller, who is out in the season due to wrist surgery. Lamelo Ball is a talent at the All-Star level capable of controlling a game on a given night, and Miles Bridges are also a threat to get off.
Defensively, the highest priorities for Lakers must be defending the 3-point line and clearing the defensive glass. Hornets takes the fourth most 3-pointers per year. Battle and ranks eighth in 3-pointers made, so even if they don’t make a large percentage, the binders can keep them around. In addition, Hornets ranks number two in offensive rebounds per Battle so that Lakers should get bodies on everyone when these shots go up, especially on big men Mark Williams and Moussa Diabate.
Lakers have an opportunity to really build some momentum, but Hornets is a dangerous team. If they can again get a full team effort up and down on the guard schedule, this victory has a good chance of continuing.
Los Angeles Lakers (25-18) against Charlotte Hornets (12-30)
Monday 27th January 2025, 16:00 pt
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: Spectrum sports network
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA
Projected Lakers Starting Setup:
PG: Austin Reaves
SG: Max Christie
SF: Dorian Finney-Smith
PF: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis
Key Reserves: Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaxson Hayes, Shake Milton, Cam Reddish
Projected Hornets Starting Setup:
PG: Lamelo Ball
SG: Nick Smith Jr.
SF: Josh Green
PF: Miles bridges
C: Mark Williams
Key Reserves: Moussa Diabate, Josh Okogie, Vasilije Micic, Daquan Jeffries, Seth Curry
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