CHARLOTTE @ LA LAKERS (LAL -12, 226)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
HORNETS @ LAKERS 2/19/25
The Hornets travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers in a game that was postponed due to the wildfires. Charlotte limps into tonight’s matchup on the heels of a three-game losing streak. The Hornets have just one win in their last 10 games. Los Angeles has been on a roll recently with 6 wins in the last 7 games.
It should be an interesting matchup since the Lakers tried to trade for Charlotte C Mark Williams just before the All-Star break. The Lakers, of course, traded away Anthony Davis to get Luka Doncic. After that trade was complete, the Lakers were all-in on a deal that would bring Williams (15.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg) to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, Williams failed his physical and the deal fell through.
The other thing to watch tonight is Doncic. He will be on a minutes restriction again as he works his way back from a calf injury. Doncic has played in two games for Los Angeles, both against Utah. He had 14 points in 24 minutes in a win over the Jazz and 16 points in 23 minutes in a loss.
The Lakers offense has been on fire during their current 6-1 SU run. LA scored 119 or more points in all seven games. For the season, the Lakers average 113.3 points per game, which ranks 14th in the league. On the other end, the Hornets have one of the worst offenses in the NBA.
The Hornets average 106.2 points per game which ranks 28th among the 30 NBA teams. In their three-game losing skid, Charlotte has scored 102 points or less, including two games where they didn’t even reach 90 points. The Hornets are the worst shooting team in the league, hitting just 43 percent of all field goals.
Los Angeles could be shorthanded. LeBron James is listed as a game-time decision. He was a late scratch from the All-Star tournament due to an ankle issue. There is a possibility the Lakers might choose to rest him. The Hornets are 3-17 SU in their last 20 road games and they haven’t had much success against the Lakers. Charlotte is 2-10 SU and 2-9-1 ATS in the last 12 games against Los Angeles.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
AUSTIN REAVES OVER 2.5 THREE-POINTERS
Reaves was absolute garbage in the loss to Utah before the break. He went 1-for-10 from behind the arc. He’ll bounce back tonight, especially since he’s playing at home. Reaves averages 7 three-point attempts at home and hits 36 percent of those. He’s also seen his three-point attempts rise with Doncic in the lineup. Despite his last game, Reaves has made 3-plus threes in 3 of his last 5 games. Tonight makes 4 out of 6.