Score predictions for Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Picking tonight's game between Charlotte and Los Angeles.

Feb 12, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) warms up before the game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

The regular season resumes tonight in Los Angeles for the Charlotte Hornets, who are looking to make a statement against the Lakers, the team that backed out of a trade with them earlier this month.

Our picks for tonight's game are in. Here's what we see going down.

Zachary Roberts: Lakers 110, Hornets 100

The Hornets might be mostly healthy after the All-Star break, but this is still the Lakers. They may not be the AD lakers that dominated in the paint, but they’re now the Luka Doncic Lakers. He should yield a lot of points to LaMelo Ball, but Doncic and LeBron James should have way more than enough firepower.

Ali Jawad: Lakers 112, Hornets 101

The Hornets face a tough test against the LeBron and Luka-led Lakers. Charlotte's resilience and ability to overcome deficits will be key, and they'll need to capitalize on opportunities in the paint against a Lakers team lacking interior size, unlike last time when AD had his way.

Albert Böttcher: Lakers 122, Hornets 114

Let's hope Mark Williams uses the trade dilemma as motivation to put on a show tonight. As strong as the Lakers are from 1-4, their center rotation of Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len is their clear weak spot. I don't expect a win for Charlotte tonight, but I wouldn't be too surprised if this turns into a close game.

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