The Charlotte Hornets will open a six-game homestand on Friday night when they host the Los Angeles Clippers. The Hornets are looking to snap a seven game losing streak and will need to beat the Clippers on the road, even if Kawhi Leonard continues to be sidelined.
L.A. has dropped its past two games after a nine game winning streak. Leonard’s absence is not expected to be long-term, but the Clippers do not look like the same team that they used to. The two-time MVP of the NBA Finals is listed as questionable, and even if he’s out, LA’s roster should be strong enough to end their losing streak.
Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Clippers: Game Preview
The Charlotte Hornets welcomed back “Scary Terry” after he was ruled out on Saturday due to soreness in his right knee. He’s been the team’s top scorer since Lonzo Ball went down with an injury of his own.
On the other hand, the Hornets have yet to find a solution to their defensive issues and will likely struggle to contain the star studded Los Angeles Clippers.
Without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics. While Charlotte isn’t on par with either of these names, Los Angeles can’t afford to rest on its laurels. Paul George and James Harden and, of course, Russell Westbrook are all capable of leading their teams to wins at home.
Charlotte Hornets vs LA Clippers: Starting lineups
Terry Rozier will return to the starting lineup, with Ish Smith dropping back to the second unit. Nick Richards and Gordon Hayward are expected to head the starting line-up, while Miles Bridges is expected to play off the bench. Brandon Miller is listed as a “questionable” for the game. If Miller is ruled out, P. J. Washington could move into the starting lineup.
The Clippers could also have Paul George and James Harden on the roster, as well as players like Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann, and more. If Kawhi Leonard clears waivers, Amir Coffey will likely return to the bench.
Charlotte Hornets vs LA Clippers: Betting tips
Terry Rozier has put up 23.2 PPG this season, with the over/under of 22.5 points. The bet is on the under at -111 for the over, and the under at -115 for the under.
Rozier has scored more than 22 PPG in seven of his last ten games, and Charlotte needs the hot guard to score in order to have a chance to win. He could easily go over the over/under.
The over/under of 27.5 points is on the line for Kawhi Leonard, with bettors at -111 for an over, and a -115 for a down. The sharpshooter has been on fire over the past seven games, scoring 32.4 PPG in that span, shooting 63.3 percent overall and 52.5 percent from three-point range.
Leonard is fresh and healthy, and the Hornets’ leaky defense could set him up for another one-on-one game.
Charlotte Hornets vs LA Clippers: Predictions
The Hornets are at +450 on the moneyline, while the Clippers are at -600. The Hornets are a -11.0 road favorite against the Clippers, who are looking to get back on track after two losses in a row. Los Angeles, led by Kawhi Leonard, should be able to break out of its losing skid and do so against Charlotte’s home record.
