Hornets vs Lakers NBA Analysis, Odds, and Best Bet (2/19)

The NBA All-Star weekend came and went in a regrettable fashion. The NBA season is over two thirds done. The playoff battles are going to be in full swing now. Exciting times are ahead. The association is easing us into it with just one game on the docket. Let’s talk hoops.

Game Information

• Crypto.com Arena LA, California
• Charlotte Hornets (13-39) visit the (32-20) Los Angeles Lakers
• Previous Matchup: LAL Win 112-107 January 27th, 2025

Charlotte Hornets @ Los Angeles Lakers

The Charlotte Hornets play visitor. This is a franchise that continues to have woe after woe. Injured stars and cancelled trades. LaMelo and Brandon Miller flash superstar potential. The latter is done for the season and the former is a game time decision with the same ankle that has been bothering him for years. Furthermore, Mark Williams may miss this one due to the continued fallout of the cancelled trade with this very team.

The Hornets lack any buzz and will likely have no sting the rest of the season.

Shootaround = complete. Mark Williams getting some free throws up while Brandon Miller’s left-handed passes to LaMelo continue to be fine tuned. pic.twitter.com/CopCS6na5O

— Rod Boone (@rodboone) February 19, 2025

LeBron James essentially boycotted the All-Star game. Even in promotional photoshoots ‘The King’ appeared in streetwear. His highness cited focus and rehab as his impediments to playing in the showcase event. Despite all the drama the Lakers will be a difficult team to beat the rest of the season. Question their depth. Question their coaching staff or roster construction. What will never be in question? Their ability to beat bad teams at home.

NBA Game Analysis

Charlotte may not allow a lot of points but it would be a wild stretch to call their defence good despite being ranked 10th in points allowed. First year coach Charles Lee seems to have command of the locker room. They just lack developed talent and healthy bodies. They are also impressively 2nd in opponent three point percentage.

However, the Hornets are are 18th in assist-to-turnover ratio and 25th in 2-Point% allowed. These are much more telling statistics. If teams are patient they can pick apart this top ten scoring defence. They’ll chase you off the three point line but offences still have options.

If LaMelo doesn’t play this will likely be a blowout. He is listed as probable at the time of writing. If he sits, then Miles Bridges needs to have a big, big night. They’ll need him to score and rebound. He shot poorly in the last contest but Anthony Davis was still wearing purple and gold.

The Hornets are 7th in second chance points allowed and the Lakers have the 23rd ranked transition defence. Lakers are also 28th in offensive rebounds. This means the recipe to success is cleaning the glass and getting out in transition. If you think Charlotte can cover then the path to victory is there.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, the Lakers are 5-0 in their last 5 games vs. top 10 NBA scoring defences and 4-0-1 against the spread. The Lakers have also won 7 straight at home and are 19-6 inside of their own arena.

Luka’s first week as a Laker is in the books ✔️ pic.twitter.com/MeeBCB8FO1

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 19, 2025

The King and LeLuka and…

Luka Dončić will still be on a minutes restriction in this game. The King did not play in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. The Hornets can be beat by getting into the midrange and playmaking from there. This sounds like an Austin Reaves night, doesn’t it? He has been fantastic this season and looks to be the third part of the LA’s Big 3. His numbers against the Hornets do not jump off the page. In their matchup a few weeks ago he had a very bad shooting night.

I expect Reaves to come back rested and relaxed and ready to play for the home fans.

NBA Best Bet: Austin Reaves o4.5 Rebounds (-120)

Two games with Luka and he has hit this line both games. He will have to do the dirty work next to the King and the Slovenian. In the month of February Austin is averaging 5.8 rebounds per game. Returning from the break we could see some rust and extra rebounding opportunities. Neither of these teams excel at rebounding so Reaves motor alone might be enough to get him over this number.

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