Charlotte HornetsOpen full analysisVSLos Angeles ClippersOpen full analysis

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 117–109 on January 12 at Intuit Dome, with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combining for 67 points to power the home team past a resilient visitor. Leonard led all scorers with 35 points, while Harden added 32 in a dominant two-man show that proved decisive in the fourth quarter, where the Clippers outscored Charlotte 31–25. The Clippers' offensive firepower came through despite shooting 44.6 percent from the field, as they made 18 three-pointers to Charlotte's 10 and controlled the game with a 120.3 offensive rating. The Hornets, led by LaMelo Ball's 25 points and Klay Knueppel's 18, shot more efficiently at 48.9 percent but were undone by 10 turnovers and limited three-point production; they also dominated the glass with 49 rebounds to Los Angeles' 37. The game finished well under the Vegas total of 222.5 at 226 combined points, with the third quarter seeing both teams explode for 82 combined points. The Clippers' balanced depth and perimeter shooting prowess should position them favorably in the Western Conference playoff race.