NBA 2025-2026: Los Angeles Clippers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction

In their last three games, the Los Angeles Clippers have shown resilience, winning two out of three matchups. They clinched victories against the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets, with scores of 98-92 and 121-105, respectively. Their sole recent defeat came at the hands of the New York Knicks with a score of 111-123. Key performances from Kawhi Leonard, who boasts an average of 27.82 points per game and an impressive offensive rating of 123.1, have been crucial to their success. The Charlotte Hornets, on the other hand, have had a mixed bag of results. They secured a dominant win over the Utah Jazz, 150-95, but fell short in nail-biters against the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors. LaMelo Ball leads the Hornets with an average of 19.90 points per game and plays a pivotal role with his offensive creativity. However, the Hornets' defensive ratings suggest vulnerability against a potent Clippers offense. The Clippers' starting five averages strong offensive ratings, with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden leading the charge. Their defensive prowess, particularly Leonard's defensive rating of 112.7, is expected to challenge the Hornets' scoring ability. Conversely, the Hornets' starting lineup features Moussa Diabaté's stellar offensive rating of 137.8, but their overall defensive metrics may be a concern against a high-scoring team like the Clippers.