The Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets game will be an exciting matchup to watch.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Chris Nicoll/Imagn Images)
The Hornets will head west to face the Lakers on February 19, 2025. They are in a tough position against the Lakers. The Hornets have a dismal record of 13-39 and have lost four consecutive road games. As a result, they are entering this matchup as heavy underdogs.

The Lakers are coming off with a strong 32-20 record. They look mighty before the Hornets with a favored 13.5 points. The game will tip off at 10:00 PM ET at the iconic Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and fans can catch the action on SportsNet LA and FDSSE.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Prediction

According to a computer model, the Lakers are projected to win this game with a final score of 117 to 105. This aligns with their strong performance in recent matchups, as they have consistently come out on top when facing off against the Hornets.

With a money line of -800 for the Lakers, the smart money seems to be on them to secure the win. However, analysts expect the total points to fall under 223.5, predicting 221.9 points. This suggests a defensive battle rather than a scoring frenzy.

Recent trends reveal that the Lakers have been reliable, with a record of 28-23-1 against the spread this season. They have won 72.4% of games in which they are favored. The Hornets have also shown resilience, with a record of 26-23-3 against the spread this season, but their current injury challenges complicate their chances of an upset.

Nonetheless, the Hornets have managed to cover the spread in 2 of their 4 games as 13.5-point underdogs this season. With the odds stacked against them, it will take a remarkable effort from Charlotte to emerge victorious in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Probable Starting Lineup

Here are the expected lineups for both teams.

Los Angeles Lakers

PG Luka Doncic
SG Austin Reaves
SF Rui Hachimura
PF LeBron James
C Jaxson Hayes

Charlotte Hornets
PG Elfrid Payton
SG Nick Smith Jr.
SF Josh Green
PF Miles Bridges
C Jusuf Nurkic

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Injury Update

The Lakers are currently dealing with several players listed as day-to-day. The list includes Cameron Reddish, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Gabe Vincent, all of whom have personal or physical issues that may affect their availability for the upcoming game. Furthermore, Maxi Kleber is confirmed out due to a foot injury. This means the Lakers will need to rely more heavily on their depth as they navigate through these injury concerns.

On the Hornets’ side, the injury situation is even more concerning, with key players absent from the lineup. Grant Williams, Brandon Miller, and Tre Mann are all out for the season due to serious injuries, leaving a considerable gap in their roster. Josh Okogie is sidelined with a hamstring injury, which further strains their depth. Mark Williams, Moussa Diabate, and LaMelo Ball are day-to-day, creating uncertainty about their participation.