FanDuel. I really like this matchup for LeBron James. The Hornets don’t help off shooters or bigs, and play main ball-handlers one-on-one (with largely inferior wing defenders). This obviously points to a big game for Luka Doncic, but it’s James who has really picked it up since Austin Reaves went down. LeBron is over this line in nine of eleven games without Reaves (all with Luka). I have him closer to 25 points, and I’d bet this to over 23.5.

The Lakers won the first meeting of season between these teams, 121-111 on road in Charlotte on Nov 10. Luka Doncic had 38 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. The Lakers have won 5 of the last 6 meetings overall between these squads. Lay the points.

Kon Knueppel went 0 for 3 from deep on Monday against the Clippers, but he's shooting 38.6 percent on 3-pointers this month. This is a good matchup against a Lakers team allowing opponents to shoot 37.1 percent from beyond the arc. Over the past three games, the Lakers have allowed 39.6 percent. Look for Knueppel to drain at least three treys.

The Hornets are playing much better of late but this still seems a bit generous by a good 25 cents or so. The Charlotte players have been in LA since Sunday -- losing at the Clippers on Monday -- and needless to say there can be distractions there. The Lakers won by 10 in Charlotte on Nov. 10 before LeBron James made his season debut. The Lakers rank second in the NBA in net rating in the clutch this season at +26.2 net rating, holding a 13-1 record in the clutch. Hopefully we don't have to worry and this is a rout. The Bugs have a couple of injury questions.