Clippers Maintain Strong Form While Hornets Struggle with Injuries
Clippers vs. Hornets: In-Depth Preview and Prediction
The Los Angeles Clippers are set to face off against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center on Friday night, January 31, 2025. With tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, this matchup promises to provide plenty of insights into both teams’ current form, key players, and how the game might unfold.
The Clippers come into this game on a strong run, while the Hornets are struggling through a season marred by injuries and inconsistent performances. In this preview, we’ll break down each team’s recent results, notable statistics, and give a prediction for the outcome.
Clippers’ Strong Form Continues
The Los Angeles Clippers (27-20 SU, 29-17-1 ATS) are in a solid rhythm, having won seven of their last ten games, including a 128-116 victory over the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week. In that game, Los Angeles shot 52% from the field and an impressive 50% from beyond the arc, sinking 12 of 24 three-pointers. They also held a commanding advantage on the boards, out-rebounding the Spurs 57-30, including 17 offensive rebounds. While the Clippers committed 17 turnovers that allowed 25 points off mistakes, their overall dominance in other areas kept them comfortably ahead.
Norman Powell has been playing at an elite level, leading the team with 24.0 points per game on efficient shooting splits (49.4% from the field, 43.5% from three). James Harden has continued to show his value with 21.7 points and 8.4 assists per game. Kawhi Leonard, when healthy, remains a key piece for the Clippers, contributing 16.1 points per game in limited action this season. Ivica Zubac has also been a crucial factor, averaging 15.2 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, further solidifying the team’s presence inside.
While Los Angeles ranks just 23rd in offensive efficiency, their strong defensive play keeps them competitive. The Clippers have one of the top defensive ratings in the league (2nd overall), allowing just 107.1 points per game and limiting opponents to 45.2% shooting from the field.
Hornets Struggling with Injuries and Offensive Woes
The Charlotte Hornets (12-32 SU, 22-20-2 ATS) have endured a challenging season, and recent games have only amplified their difficulties. Charlotte’s latest loss was a disappointing 104-83 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets, where they shot just 33% from the field and struggled from three-point range, hitting only 10 of 35 attempts (28.6%). Despite out-rebounding the Nets by 12 and grabbing 18 offensive boards, Charlotte couldn’t capitalize on those extra opportunities, largely due to their inability to convert in the paint, where they were outscored 54-34.
Injuries have played a massive role in Charlotte’s struggles. With LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Gordon Hayward sidelined, the Hornets have lacked offensive firepower. Miles Bridges has emerged as the team’s go-to scorer, averaging 19.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. However, without the full complement of their roster, the Hornets have been limited in terms of both scoring and overall team depth. Other players such as Vasilije Micic and Seth Curry have tried to fill the void, but their impact has been inconsistent.
Defensively, Charlotte ranks just 14th in defensive rating, but they have shown some resilience against the three-point shot, ranking 5th in the NBA in three-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 34.6% from beyond the arc. However, their ability to stop teams from scoring in other areas, such as the paint, continues to be a problem.
Conclusion
Los Angeles has been in control of this matchup historically, winning 10 consecutive games against the Hornets. The Clippers’ defensive prowess should make it difficult for a depleted Charlotte squad to mount an effective offense, especially given the Hornets’ offensive struggles and injuries. While the Clippers are not without their own issues, particularly with consistency on offense, their defensive strength should make the difference in this matchup.
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