HORNETS TAKE DOWN LAKERS
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Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
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CHA: Grant Williams, KJ Simpson, Brandon Miller, Tre Mann, Josh Okogie, Wendell Moore Jr., Damion Baugh
LAL: Maxi Kleber, Trey Jemison III, Jordan Goodwin
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CHARLOTTE HORNETS
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
| PLAYER | MIN | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33:46 | 2 | 6 | 33.3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | |
| 33:24 | 9 | 22 | 40.9 | 5 | 11 | 45.5 | 6 | 7 | 85.7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 4 | |
| 29:02 | 3 | 7 | 42.9 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 10 | -5 | |
| 28:50 | 4 | 13 | 30.8 | 4 | 11 | 36.4 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | -4 | |
| 33:15 | 9 | 19 | 47.4 | 5 | 13 | 38.5 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 8 | |
| 14:45 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -5 | |
| 18:01 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | |
| 16:23 | 3 | 8 | 37.5 | 2 | 5 | 40.0 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 11 | |
| 15:04 | 2 | 6 | 33.3 | 1 | 5 | 20.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | |
| 17:30 | 1 | 5 | 20.0 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | |
| DNP – Coach’s Decision | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DNP – Coach’s Decision | ||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTALS | 33 | 91 | 36.3 | 18 | 53 | 34.0 | 16 | 17 | 94.1 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 20 | 12 | 4 | 17 | 16 | 100 | 3 | |
| PLAYER | MIN | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39:19 | 7 | 16 | 43.8 | 1 | 8 | 12.5 | 2 | 4 | 50.0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 | -1 | |
| 37:54 | 10 | 22 | 45.5 | 4 | 11 | 36.4 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 26 | -4 | |
| 18:08 | 4 | 5 | 80.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 12 | |
| 27:15 | 3 | 9 | 33.3 | 2 | 7 | 28.6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | |
| 33:13 | 5 | 18 | 27.8 | 1 | 9 | 11.1 | 3 | 4 | 75.0 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 13 | |
| 28:06 | 4 | 7 | 57.1 | 4 | 6 | 66.7 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 1 | |
| 20:12 | 2 | 7 | 28.6 | 2 | 6 | 33.3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -6 | |
| 10:05 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | |
| 12:42 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -17 | |
| 13:06 | 1 | 5 | 20.0 | 1 | 4 | 25.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -16 | |
| DNP – Coach’s Decision | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DNP – Coach’s Decision | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DNP – Coach’s Decision | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DNP – Coach’s Decision | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DNP – Coach’s Decision | ||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTALS | 37 | 90 | 41.1 | 15 | 51 | 29.4 | 8 | 12 | 66.7 | 12 | 38 | 50 | 29 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 97 | -3 | |
Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Wednesday
Wednesday’s NBA slate features just one game, but it’s bound to draw attention as the Charlotte Hornets travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers. Los Angeles will play six games in the next 10 days, a stretch many expect to be one of their toughest of the year. Four of those opponents are fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.
The Lakers will take on a Hornets team that attempted to trade center Mark Williams to them, but the deal was rescinded after he failed his physical. The Lakers could also be without LeBron James, who has been managing a left foot and ankle injury all season. Meanwhile, the Hornets are on a three-game losing streak and have won just 13 games so far this year.
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Hachimura’s role in the Lakers’ rotation has expanded since Anthony Davis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. His usage could climb even higher if James is limited or ruled out. Hachimura has scored 25 or more fantasy points in six of his past eight games, including three with 40 or more. This is a great spot for him to shine.
The Lakers signed Len after their rescinded trade for Williams, and is worth considering in deeper formats. He’ll compete with Jaxson Hayes and Trey Jemison for minutes at the center position. Len has averaged 7.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per 40 minutes, giving a glimpse of his potential production if he gets playing time.
Ball didn’t play in the Hornets’ last game before the All-Star break, but is probable for tonight. I don’t expect him to be on a minutes restriction after a full week of rest. He has hit this line in 26 of the 29 games where he’s played at least 25 minutes this season. The Lakers rank middle of the pack defensively against point guards, so I expect Ball to have a huge game in his first one back.
James is questionable for tonight’s game, but Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Luka Doncic will stay on a minutes restriction. This makes Reaves a strong value against the Hornets, even though he has gone under this line in two games with both James and Doncic, totaling 26 points and assists in each. That said, Reaves has averaged 12.5 field goal attempts,13.0 potential assists and 34 minutes per game in those matchups.
Williams will be motivated to show the Lakers what they missed out on following the rescinded trade. Los Angeles lacks a big man who can contain him, giving Williams a great opportunity to dominate. He has cleared this line in 11 of the 14 games this season when playing at least 25 minutes.
Andre Snellings details whether fantasy managers should have panic or patience with Khris Middleton, Jimmy Butler and Jrue Holiday.
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET Sportsbook.
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Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets 12.5 (-105) | Lakers -12.5 (-115)
Money line: Hornets +500 | Lakers -750
Total: 228.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 13.8, straight up 86%, 220.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: LaMelo Ball, (GTD – Ankle); Mark Williams, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Josh Okogie, (OUT – Hamstring); Brandon Miller, (OUT – Wrist); Grant Williams, (OUT – Knee); Tre Mann, (OUT – Back)
Lakers: LeBron James, (GTD – Foot); Maxi Kleber, (OUT – Foot)
Hornets projections:
LaMelo Ball, PG: 39.9 FPTS (21.9 pts, 4.0 reb, 5.7 ast, 3.5 3PM)
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 37.0 FPTS (20.3 pts, 7.3 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Mark Williams, C: 26.4 FPTS (12.3 pts, 9.4 reb, 2.3 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 18.2 FPTS (8.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.9 ast)
Nick Smith Jr., SG: 17.0 FPTS (9.5 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.3 ast)
Josh Green, SG/SF: 16.9 FPTS (8.4 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.4 ast)
KJ Simpson, PG: 16.4 FPTS (7.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.3 ast)
Lakers projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 44.8 FPTS (24.1 pts, 6.6 reb, 6.2 ast, 3.1 3PM)
LeBron James, SF/PF: 42.0 FPTS (23.3 pts, 7.3 reb, 7.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Austin Reaves, PG/SG/PF: 37.6 FPTS (18.8 pts, 4.4 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 25.1 FPTS (14.9 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.5 ast)
Jordan Goodwin, PG/SG: 19.4 FPTS (8.0 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.1 ast)
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 15.2 FPTS (6.9 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.7 ast)
Gabe Vincent, PG: 14.9 FPTS (6.2 pts, 1.5 reb, 2.5 ast)
Michael Wilbon explains why he’s not in favor of the changes the Big Ten and SEC want made to the College Football Playoff’s seeding. (1:27)
NEW ORLEANS — Following a joint meeting between athletic directors representing their respective conferences on Wednesday, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said they agreed that the way teams are seeded in the 12-team College Football Playoff should change this fall.
While the voices of the two wealthiest and most powerful conferences certainly carry weight, any changes for the 2025 season have to be unanimously agreed upon by the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua.
“I’m prepared to vote for seeding change, but it has to be unanimous,” Sankey said.
This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds and a first-round bye. It was one of the most controversial facets of the format because it allowed for ninth-ranked Boise State, which won the Mountain West Conference, to earn the No. 3 seed and for 12th-ranked Arizona State to earn the No. 4 seed. Third-ranked Texas and fourth-ranked Penn State were runners-up in their respective conferences, but they couldn’t be seeded higher than Nos. 5 and 6 because the top four seeds were reserved for conference champions.
A popular suggestion to change the seeding for this fall — which Petitti said he favored — has been to use the selection committee’s ranking for the seeding while still making room for the five highest-ranked conference champions. In that model, the committee’s top four teams would earn the top four seeds and first-round byes, regardless of whether they were conference champions. That would also open the door for Notre Dame, which can’t win a conference title as an independent, to earn a first-round bye as a top-four seed.
“We’re in favor of going to a straight seeding, where there’s no difference between rankings and seeding like we had this year,” Petitti said. “We’re in support of that for next year.”
The joint meeting between the Big Ten and SEC came less than a week before both Petitti and Sankey will meet in Dallas with their fellow FBS commissioners and Bevacqua to begin a thorough review of the inaugural 12-team playoff.
The SEC and Big Ten have the bulk of control over what the CFP will look like when the new contract with ESPN begins following the 2025 season. That power was part of the negotiation process that also included guaranteed access for conference champions and certain protections for Notre Dame.
When asked directly what their respective conferences would like the playoff to look like in 2026 and beyond, Sankey declined to get into specifics.
“That’s something we owe our colleagues first,” he said, referring to his fellow FBS commissioners. “I think I’ve been consistent in that observation.”
The four power conference commissioners are set to have a call this weekend in advance of next week’s CFP meetings in Dallas, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel. There’s expected to be an update of what transpired at Wednesday’s Big Ten-SEC meeting and potential steps ahead for the CFP, according to sources.
For almost a year, multiple sources in both leagues have indicated a strong preference for expanding the field to 14 teams in 2026 and beyond. Sources in the SEC and the Big Ten have also favored a certain number of automatic playoff spots for each league, but even within each league there remain varying opinions.
Sources in the Big Ten seem more aligned in their desire for automatic qualifiers. A popular model includes four guaranteed teams each from the Big Ten and SEC, two teams each from the Big 12 and ACC, one spot for the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion, and one at-large spot, which could go to Notre Dame if the Irish were ranked high enough for inclusion.
While Sankey declined to speak directly about automatic qualifiers, he said the leagues have talked about everything regarding format and will continue to.
“This is not a new issue,” Sankey said.
Petitti said that because of the way the power is divided, eventually both leagues need to come to a consensus on what they want it to look like moving forward — but there are no restrictions on where ideas can come from moving forward.
“The process going forward if we decide to make changes contemplates that the structure of that is led by the SEC and the Big Ten, so it requires us to get to a consensus to make a meaningful recommendation, if any, to our colleagues in other leagues, and it also requires us to give them an opportunity to weigh in on whatever it is that we’re thinking about,” he said.
Sankey said the 2026 season is a “pretty small part” of the agenda for next week’s CFP meeting in Dallas, during which much of the time is expected to focus on 2025. This week was an opportunity, though, for both conferences to start in-person discussions about the future.
“I think we both individually owe our colleagues an update on our thinking,” Sankey said. “Is it alignment? I’m not going to use that word. We’ve got our issues to work through. Our regular-season scheduling issue … can we compare notes? Absolutely, but I’d be cautious about using the word ‘alignment’ at this point.”
Sankey said he still wants a stronger understanding of the selection committee’s decision-making process over the past few years. He pointed to inconsistencies in the value of conference championship games and strength of schedule.
“We entrust them with that work, but there are domino effects from those selection decisions,” Sankey said. “I’m not forming the agenda [for next week], but I’m identifying things that are regularly a part of our conversation.”
Petitti echoed what former selection committee chair and Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said, which was that the committee did what was required of them according to the system designed by the commissioners.
“I believe the committee was doing the work that was set in place,” Petitti said. “… Overall, that system that is taking place is part of the ideas we’re raising about the process for next year because that would give the committee more flexibility to do the job in a way that’s much clearer for fans.”
On Monday, SEC coaches met with the league’s athletic directors, and the ADs met again separately on Tuesday here as part of their regularly scheduled meetings before the Big Ten joined them. Sankey said considerations for a nine-game league schedule remain a part of their consideration, but no decisions have been made yet.
“I think there’s a lot of interest,” Sankey said. “People change, positions change … understanding the selection committee’s perspective and how the criteria is applied is an important element.”
As expected, Wednesday’s meeting also included discussions about the House vs. NCAA settlement and future NCAA governance. Attorneys for both leagues were present to avoid anything that might be construed as collusion. Petitti said that while the Big Ten and SEC are leading the future format decisions of the CFP, the NCAA governance conversations have been “incredibly collaborative and involves everybody.”
“People are working together,” Petitti said. “… The work that’s been down around the settlement among the conferences is probably unprecedented in terms of the amount of collaboration that’s required to get this right.”
As far as the CFP conversations, Sankey said the Big Ten and SEC have “deployed leadership in a responsible way.”
“Moving forward, Tony described a methodology that was agreed to by everyone a year ago for how decisions will be made by everyone — not dictated by us — agreed to by everyone,” he said. “We have a responsibility to use that wisely.”
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Rui Hachimura, PF/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (available in 61.6% of ESPN leagues)
Alex Len, C, Los Angeles Lakers (99%)
LaMelo Ball over 35.5 points, rebounds and assists (-130)
Austin Reaves over 27.5 points and assists (-130)
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Lakers vs. Hornets odds, line, prediction, start time: 2025 NBA picks, Feb. 19 best bets from proven model
The Los Angeles Lakers (32-20) host the Charlotte Hornets (13-39) in a cross-conference battle on Wednesday’s NBA schedule. This is the only game of the day and is a makeup for the Jan. 9 contest that was cancelled due to wildfires in the L.A. area. LeBron James (foot), who missed the All-Star Game, is questionable. These teams agreed to a big trade before the deadline that would’ve sent Mark Williams to the Lakers for Dalton Knecht and others. The deal, however, was rescinded due to medical concerns for Williams, who is listed as probable (reconditioning). LaMelo Ball (ankle) is also probable, while Luka Doncic isn’t on the injury list for the first time since being acquired by L.A and is not expected to be on a minutes restriction.
Tipoff from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles is at 10 p.m. ET. The Lakers have won four straight matchups versus Charlotte, including a 112-107 victory on Jan. 27. Los Angeles is a 12.5-point favorite in the latest Lakers vs. Hornets odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 229. Los Angeles is -746 on the money line (risk $746 to win $100), while Charlotte is at +520 (risk $100 to win $520). Before locking in any Hornets vs. Lakers picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters the second half of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 147-104 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It’s also an outstanding 18-9 (67%) on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Hornets vs. Lakers 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Lakers vs. Hornets:
Doncic continues to find his footing on the team, but has the skill to be an all-around force. This season, he averages 27 points, eight rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. In his last game, Doncic finished with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists. He also has a history of impressive showings against the Hornets as he averaged a triple-double in two meetings with them last season, including posting 39 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists the last time he saw Charlotte.
Austin Reaves is another ball handler and three-level scorer for the Lakers. Reaves averages 19.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. The 26-year-old has scored 20-plus points in five of the last six games. On Feb. 10 against the Utah Jazz, Reaves totaled 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Forward Miles Bridges is an athletic scorer in the frontcourt. Bridges averages 19.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He’s racked up 20-plus points in seven of his last 10 games. On Feb. 9 versus the Detroit Pistons, the 26-year-old had 30 points and nine rebounds.
With Williams likely returning, the Hornets now have depth in the frontcourt after acquiring center Jusuf Nurkic from the Suns before the deadline. Nurkic had nine points, eight rebounds and one block in his Charlotte debut, while Williams has averaged 15.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game this season. See which team to back at SportsLine.
SportsLine’s model has simulated Hornets vs. Lakers and is leaning Under the total, projecting 216 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.
So who wins Hornets vs. Lakers on Wednesday, and which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Hornets vs. Lakers spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
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