Lakers vs Hornets Preview: Closing Road Trip on High Note

Lakers aim to end road trip strong against Hornets, LeBron and AD expected to play, Hornets missing key players. #Lakers #Hornets #NBA

The Los Angeles Lakers are wrapping up their six-game road trip with a game against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. They are hoping to finish the trip with a strong 4-2 record after a recent impressive win against the New York Knicks.

The Lakers have had a roller coaster season so far, and this game against the rebuilding Hornets is an opportunity to end the road trip on a high note. However, they cannot afford to underestimate the 10-38 Hornets, who have lost seven consecutive games.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are expected to play in this game after being listed as questionable. However, the Lakers will be without Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish, and Gabe Vincent. On the other hand, the Hornets will be missing key players such as LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, and Mark Williams, as well as role players like Cody Martin and Frank Ntilikina.

Charlotte is coming off a loss to the Indiana Pacers and will be relying on Brandon Miller and P.J. Washington for scoring. The Lakers will need to force them into difficult shots, especially without their playmaker, Ball.

As the Lakers enter the later stages of the regular season, every win is crucial for their playoff positioning. They cannot afford to drop games against teams like the Hornets at this point in the season.

Key reserves for the Lakers include Taurean Prince, Max Christie, Jaxson Hayes, and Christian Wood, while the Hornets will look to P.J. Washington, Nick Smith Jr., and Bryce McGowens for support.

It's important for the Lakers to come out as the aggressor and maintain their intensity throughout the game to secure a win against the depleted Hornets.