Hornets vs. Lakers prediction: Lakers to win, Luka Doncic projected for 34 points in Thursday's NBA game [1/15/2026]

NBA action continues on Thursday at 10:30 PM ET as the Charlotte Hornets lock horns with the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.

Based on the latest simulations and today’s injury updates, Dimers' advanced NBA model projects the Lakers as the most likely winner of the Hornets vs. Lakers game.

This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Lakers lineup will feature players like Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton, while the Hornets will rely on Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.

Doncic is expected to shine with a projected 34 points and 4 threes.

This article offers further insights into Thursday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.

Hornets vs. Lakers prediction: Who will win and cover?

Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NBA game between the Hornets and Lakers 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.

Our independent predictive model currently gives the Lakers a 65% chance of beating the Hornets. Our predicted final score has the Lakers winning 118-114.

According to our model, the Lakers (-3.5) have a 54% chance of covering the spread, while the 234.5-point over/under has a 52% chance of staying under.

Hornets vs. Lakers odds

We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Hornets vs. Lakers picks and best bet

After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:

According to our best NBA bets for Thursday, the top play to make on this game is Lakers to win.

Hornets vs. Lakers player props

NBA prop bets are an exciting way to wager on Thursday's Charlotte vs. LA Lakers game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Crypto.com Arena.

Brandon Miller is expected to lead the Hornets with 22 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Luka Doncic is projected to have 34 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists for the Lakers.

Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.

Hornets prediction

Our model's projected player stats for the Hornets are:

Lakers prediction

Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Lakers:

Hornets vs. Lakers game-day updates and essential details

Thursday's matchup between the Lakers and Hornets at Crypto.com Arena is scheduled to begin at 10:30 PM ET.

• Who: Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
• Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
• Time: 10:30 PM ET/7:30PM PT
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena

Conclusion

We predict the Lakers, with a 65% win probability, will likely beat the Hornets on Thursday, with Luka Doncic projected for a game-high 64 fantasy points.

AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Hornets vs. Lakers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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