Home/NBA

via Imago

via Imago

The Los Angeles Clippers have got their mojo back. After a lackluster start to the season, the Clippers have witnessed a notable upturn in their recent performances. The Clippers’ superstars find their footing in Ty Lue’s offense, which makes facing them a daunting task for any team in the league. With the games coming thick and fast, the Clippers would aim to cement their guaranteed playoff spot.

They face the Charlotte Hornets in their next match at the Crypto.com Center in Los Angeles. However, the Clippers face the prospect of starting the game without the services of their star player, Kawhi Leonard.

Clippers vs Hornets: Predicted Lineups and Injuries

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The game between the Clippers and the Hornets is scheduled to tip off by 10:00 PM, Eastern Time. The Clippers come into this on the back of winning 8 out of their last ten matches. They currently occupy the 6th seed in the Western Conference, with 17 wins and 12 losses. On the contrary, the Hornets have struggled to impose themselves this season. They languish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, having won just 7 of their 27 games.

USA Today via Reuters

The Hornets could also miss the services of several key players for tonight’s game. LaMelo Ball remains sidelined for the foreseeable future due to an ankle injury he suffered against the Magic. They have also listed Brandon Miller (ankle) and Mark Williams (back) as questionable for tonight’s game. The Clippers are also fretting about the fitness of Kawhi Leonard. For the third straight game, the Clippers have listed Kawhi as questionable.

Despite potentially missing the services of Kawhi, the Clippers still possess a bevy of talented players. They could start the game with James Harden, Terence Mann, Paul George, Amir Coffey, and Ivica Zubac. In contrast, the Hornets lack a comparably skilled roster of players to choose from. They could begin the game with Bryce McGowens, Ish Smith, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges, and Nick Richards.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Clippers vs Hornets: Predictions

The Clippers come into the game as heavy favorites. Bookmakers in Vegas have predicted a Clippers victory by more than 10 points. The moneyline odds indicate that the Los Angeles Clippers are heavily favored with a line of -568, while the Charlotte Hornets are considered the underdogs with a line of +425. The over/ under is set at 228.5 for the match.

Read More: Are NBA Christmas Day Games a Better Tradition Than NFL Thanksgiving Day Games?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

On paper, the Clippers appear to have an easy matchup. However, in basketball, the outcome is not determined by what’s written on paper. Nevertheless, the Clippers’ talented pool of players, combined with Charlotte’s recent struggles, makes it challenging to envision a scenario other than a victory for the Clippers.

Watch this Story: Watch LeBron James Sets Up Lakers 7ft Recruit With an Audacious Lob as Anthony Davis Witnesses From the Bench