Lakers vs. Hornets: Odds, Predictions & Key Storylines for Feb. 19
Alright, let’s talk about the Lakers vs. Hornets matchup happening tonight, February 19, 2025. This game was originally supposed to be played back on January 9 but got postponed due to wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Now, as the only NBA game of the day, all eyes will be on Crypto.com Arena as these two teams face off.
The Lakers come into this game with a solid 32-20 record, while the Hornets are struggling at 13-39. On paper, this looks like a game the Lakers should control, especially considering they’ve won their last four meetings against Charlotte. But, as we all know, anything can happen in the NBA.
One of the biggest storylines tonight is the health of key players. LeBron James, who missed the All-Star Game due to a foot issue, is listed as questionable. Meanwhile, Luka Dončić, who recently joined the Lakers, is expected to play without any minutes restriction for the first time. That’s huge for L.A. because Dončić has been averaging 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. His last outing against the Hornets? A casual triple-double with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. If he brings that same energy, Charlotte could be in for a long night.
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For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball is probable with an ankle injury, and they’re also dealing with some roster shakeups. There was a trade between these two teams before the deadline that would’ve sent Mark Williams to the Lakers, but it got rescinded due to medical concerns. Now, Williams remains with Charlotte and is expected to play. Adding Jusuf Nurkić before the deadline gives them some needed depth in the frontcourt, but will it be enough to compete with the Lakers' star power?
Looking at the odds, the Lakers are heavy favorites at -746 on the money line, while Charlotte sits at +520. The spread is set at Lakers -12.5, and the over/under for total points is 229. L.A. has been strong against the spread, going 28-23-1 this season, while Charlotte isn’t far behind at 27-23-2.
So, what’s the key to this game? For the Lakers, it’s about Dončić controlling the offense and getting support from Austin Reaves, who’s been on fire lately. He’s averaged 19.1 points per game this season and has put up 20-plus points in five of his last six outings. If he keeps that up and LeBron plays, L.A. should have no trouble covering the spread.
For the Hornets, Miles Bridges needs to step up. He’s been averaging 19.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and they’ll need every bit of that offensive production to keep this game close. If LaMelo is fully healthy, his playmaking could make things interesting, but against a team as stacked as the Lakers, it’s an uphill battle.
Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET, and you can catch the game on FuboTV. Who takes it? The odds and history favor the Lakers, but let’s see if the Hornets can shake things up.
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