The NBA returns from the all-star break on Wednesday when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Charlotte Hornets at 10:00 p.m. ET.
The pregame narrative: With Luka Doncic still reportedly on a minutes restriction and no centre depth to speak of, I expect LeBron James to have a night on the glass for L.A. Also, bet on Miles Bridges to clear his point total.
Check out my Hornets vs. Lakers prop picks for Feb. 19.
Hornets vs. Lakers prop picks
Best bet: LeBron over 31.5 points and rebounds (-109)
Anthony Davis is gone and a trade for Charlotte's Mark Williams fell through due to a failed physical.
That's put the Lakers in a pickle on the glass. Right now, rookie Jaxson Hayes is slotted at the No. 5 with recent free agent signing Alex Len — who averaged 1.9 rebounds in 31 games with Sacramento — backing him up.
Doncic will also remain on a minutes restriction tonight, per Mike Trudell.
With that said, it's time for LeCentre to step up.
James didn't play in the all-star game and is listed as questionable tonight, but I wouldn't read into that. The festivities are a joke, and he probably just wanted some extra rest to gear up for the home stretch.
LeBron is averaging 28.6 points and 9.8 rebounds across five games this month, clearing this line three times while landing on 31 points/rebounds once.
Charlotte ranks 21st in rebounding rate and 14th in defensive rating over the last 15 games, per NBA.com.
Key stat: LeBron is averaging 30.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in nine games without Davis this season (6-3 against this line).
Quick pick
Bridges over 20.5 points (-122): Getting Doncic for Davis set up Los Angeles for years to come, but it's unquestionably made them a worse defensive team in the short term.
And even with Davis in the lineup, the Lakers struggled to defend the small forward position.
L.A. allows the eighth-most points and 11th-most 3s to SFs, according to Fantasy Pros.
Bridges has also been on a nice scoring binge lately. He's averaging 21.6 PPG across his last 20 games and has cleared this mark 14 times.
Picks made at 10:19 a.m. ET 02/19/2025.
