The NBA eases back into action after the All-Star break with just one game on tonight's betting board.
The Los Angeles Lakers open a much-anticipated second half of the schedule, hosting the Charlotte Hornets as sizable favorites inside Cyrpto.com Arena.
With just one matchup available, we dig deep into the NBA player props for my best NBA picks and Hornets vs. Lakers predictions on Wednesday, February 19.
Best Hornets vs Lakers props
Ball Over 6.5 assists (-115 at bet365)- Bridges Under 20.5 points (-125 at bet365)
- Williams double-double (+120 at bet365)
Hornets vs Lakers player props for February 19
LaMelo Ball Over 6.5 Assists (-115 at bet365)
An ankle injury has hobbled LaMelo Ball in recent outings but with the extended break, he’s the healthiest he’s been in quite some time tonight. Ball is listed as probable after missing the final game before the annual hiatus.
When healthy, the Charlotte Hornets point guard has been the catalyst for this offense. He’s dishing out more than seven assists per game and is set up for another strong playmaking performance against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers defense took a hit when the team traded Anthony Davis, but even before taking that shot swatter out the paint, L.A. ranked among the bottom of the NBA in opponent assist-to-FGM ratio (0.659). That metric has spiked to 0.711 in the three games before the break.
Ball can push the tempo and create opportunities on fast breaks, which is a scenario the Lakers have struggled against since swapping Davis for Luka Doncic. Player projections for Ball range from 6.3 assists to as many as 7.7, with my forecast at 7.2 dimes.
Before suffering the ankle injury in late January, Ball registered seven or more assists in nine of 11 games from December 16 to January 25.
Miles Bridges Under 20.5 Points (-125 at bet365)
Miles Bridges had to pick up the scoring slack in recent weeks, with both Ball and Mark Williams missing from the lineup. Those players are expected to return against Los Angeles, taking touches away from Bridges.
The small forward was averaging almost 22 points per game over his last 23 outings, attempting over 18 field goals per contest in that stretch. His activity is expected to dip tonight, with game models sitting as low as 16 shots from Bridges and a scoring forecast ranging between 18 and 19.7 points.
My projection comes out to 18.8 points from Bridges, which should have the Under 20.5 points priced as high as -165. However, bet365 is asking -125 for that side of the prop option.
Both L.A. and Charlotte run slower tempos (ranked 22nd and 24th in pace rating), leading to a lower-scoring finish, and given the extended hiatus, there could be a little rust to wear off in this first game back from the break.
Mark Williams Double-Double: Yes (+120 at bet365)
This will be a weird game for Williams.
The Hornets’ big man is taking the floor for the first time since being traded to the Lakers at the deadline… and then having that trade rescinded due to Williams’ failed physical.
He’s been away from the team since then, leaving a hole in the Hornets’ interior. However, that hole isn’t as big as the one in the middle of Los Angeles’ lineup.
After dealing Davis to Dallas, the Williams deal was supposed to solve the Lakers’ issue at the 5. Instead, L.A. is left with Jaxon Hayes and Alex Len inside, forcing head coach J.J. Reddick to consider a small-ball lineup.
That leaves Los Angeles susceptible around the basket and on the glass. In the final game before the All-Star break (and their second game without Davis), the Lakers watched Utah forwards Walker Kessler and John Collins each register a double-double.
Projections for Williams call for between 13 and 15 points with his rebounding forecast teetering on 10 boards tonight. My numbers come out to 13.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, with a size and motivational edge fueling Williams’ performance.
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