**What:** Charlotte Hornets (3-6) (2-2 home) vs Los Angeles Lakers (7-3) (4-1 away)
**When:** 7:00pm Eastern
**Where:** Spectrum Center; Charlotte, NC
**How to watch:** FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass
**Outfitting:** Hornets–Icon (teal), Lakers–Icon (yellow)
**Game Lines:** Hornets +7.5, Hornets money line +250, O/U 229.5
**Injuries:**
Hornets: Miles Bridges-questionable (back), LaMelo Ball-out (ankle), Brandon Miller-out (shoulder), Josh Green-out (shoulder), Grant Williams-out (knee)
Lakers: Austin Reaves-questionable (groin), LeBron James-out (back), Gabe Vincent-out (ankle), Adou Thiero-out (knee)
We’ve made it to ten games and we’ve already reached a point where the Hornets could be without more than half of their starting lineup for the game. Brandon Miller is still recovering from his shoulder subluxation while LaMelo Ball is seemingly dealing with a flare up of the ankle problem that’s been plaguing him for a while. Now Miles Bridges has popped up with a sore back. We don’t get nice things here, in case you forgot.
While the Hornets are reeling, they’ll have to host a Lakers team that’s been thriving without LeBron James to start the season. Luka Doncic is half an assist per game shy of averaging a 37 point triple double and Austin Reaves is averaging 31 points and 9 assists per game. Exciting whites indeed. Rui Hachimura, DeAndre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia have been helping to fill whatever small gaps the team’s two best players are leaving. Marcus Smart is playing and might be the number one “I had no idea he played for that team now” guy in the league.
Our old pal Nick Smith Jr. has latched on with Los Angeles and is seemingly trying to take the Malik Monk path through the NBA. NSJ has had moments in LA that are very similar to what he did in Charlotte. He blew up for 25 points against the Trail Blazers last week. He’s shot 5-of-20 from the field and 2-of-10 from three in his other four appearances, but this could be a prime revenge spot for him to catch fire.
Speaking of exciting whites, the Hornets’ absences mean that Knueppel is going to be given the green light again. He’s been handling that burden pretty well. Over his last three games, he’s averaging 24.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He’s coming off a career high 30 against the Heat. The Hornets will need another big performance from him to pull off the upset. Collin Sexton should be back as well after missing the last game with a neck issue.
### _Related_