<p>The Los Angeles Lakers have been having a torrid time on the basketball court recently. Before their match against the Atlanta Hawks, they experienced a three-game losing streak.</p> <p>Next Friday, the Purple &amp; Gold will get another opportunity to put in a positive performance, as they take on a struggling Charlotte Hornets. The game will be played at 14:30 AEDT on Friday, January 16, in Los Angeles.</p> <p>What this game presents is betting potential for punters, especially as the two teams haven't been all that great on the basketball court in recent times. Read on for our top Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets betting predictions as we aim to find you the best <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba">NBA betting</a> value!</p> <h2>Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets: Betting Preview</h2> <p>As we gear up for this upcoming NBA clash, let's consider a few things to try to help us make an informed decision about what could potentially happen in Los Angeles.</p> <p>While both teams have been struggling recently, the Lakers have been better this season. They've won far more times than they have lost, although this is always to be expected. The Hornets enter this game with a 14-26 record, sitting towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference. They've lost more than they have won over their last five games, too (4-6).</p> <p>Now, let's review previous meetings between these two teams to identify any historical trends.</p> <p>They have already met once this season, with the Lakers winning 121-111 in Charlotte. That game was back in November. Luka Doncic managed to score 38 points in that game, with Austin Reaves adding 24. He'll be out for this game, while Doncic and LeBron James are considered day-to-day in the lead-up to this encounter.</p> <p>Miles Bridges did put up 34 points in their losing effort, while rookie Kon Knueppel scored 19 in what has been a fairly positive rookie season to this point. If you're new to <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-the-nba">how to bet on the NBA</a>, individual player performances like these can offer valuable insights.</p> <h2>Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets: Betting Predictions</h2> <p>As we make our Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Hornets betting predictions, we also look at the overall head-to-head in more detail.</p> <p>The Lakers are 15-10 in the last 25 meetings, including a recent 5-1 stretch over the last six games. With this in mind, we think the Lakers will win. On top of that, they've been the better team in the NBA and have the star quality to overcome this challenge, even if their main superstars are questionable to play.</p> <p>Looking at player props, we would expect Doncic to score 35+ points if he is deemed fit to play. We would also expect James to have 20+ points if he gets time on the court. They could be last-minute decisions, so it's worth keeping an eye on news developments. For more game-by-game insights, check out our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/tips">NBA tips and predictions</a>.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/what-is-a-triple-double">Triple-doubles explained — and why they matter in basketball</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/nba-positions-explained-basketball-roles">Point guard to centre — every position on the court explained</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/nba-plus-minus-explained">The plus-minus stat and what it actually tells us</a></li> </ul>