As the Charlotte Hornets prepare to take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, fans are bracing for what promises to be a riveting encounter. The Hornets, despite their recent struggles, have shown flashes of brilliance that could spell trouble for their West Coast adversaries.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with teammate Dennis Schroder #17 following a dunk during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 02, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

In their last game against the Clippers on December 27th, CHA put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short with a score of 104-113. Their performance was marked by an impressive 31 assists and a solid field goal percentage of 46 percent. However, it was their three-point shooting that let them down as they converted only 21 percent from beyond the arc. This is an area where they must improve if they hope to outshine LAL's defense.

The Hornets' bench contributed significantly with 34 points in that game, indicating depth that could be pivotal in keeping pace with LAL's roster. Additionally, CHA managed to lead for nearly 11 minutes and even secured a seven-point lead at one stage – signs that they can compete with top-tier teams.

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 2: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on January 2, 2023 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

Looking back further at CHA's December 24th encounter against Denver Nuggets reveals another tough loss (95-102), yet it showcased their resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity – traits necessary when facing high-caliber teams like LAL.

One concerning statistic for CHA has been their defensive rating; during their December 21st game against Indiana Pacers where they lost by an overwhelming margin (113-144), it stood at an alarming rate of approximately 147 points per hundred possessions. This is something head coach James Borrego will need to address before facing off against LeBron James and company who are known for exploiting defensive weaknesses.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a shot against P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the game at Spectrum Center on January 02, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The upcoming match-up will demand CHA’s utmost focus on both ends of the floor. They'll need LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier firing on all cylinders while ensuring defensive stalwarts like Miles Bridges step up to contain LAL’s offensive threats.

Fans should expect an intense battle as both teams vie for dominance in this cross-conference clash. With strategic adjustments and improved three-point shooting, there's potential for an upset by the underdog Hornets – making this game one not to miss.

Mark your calendars: The showdown is set for December 28th at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles starting at 10:30 PM Eastern Time. Fans can catch all the action live on BSSE channel number 649 or SportsNet LA channel number 691 depending on your location.

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