Hornets vs. Lakers NBA DFS Picks For DraftKings & FanDuel - Wed, 2/19
The NBA kicks off its post-All-Star Break slate with a single-game NBA DFS Showdown between the Charlotte Hornets (13-39) and the Los Angeles Lakers (32-20) at Crypto.com Arena.
This matchup carries extra intrigue as it’s the first meeting since a botched trade that would have sent Hornets center Mark Williams to the Lakers in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and draft picks—a deal rescinded due to Williams failing a physical.
With a game total of 228.6 and the Lakers installed as 12.5-point home favorites, let’s break down the key Hornets vs. Lakers DFS picks.
NBA Odds Today: Hornets vs. Lakers Vegas Lines
- Spread: Lakers -12.5
- Over/Under: 228.6
Pace Outlook: The Lakers rank mid-tier in pace (14th), while the Hornets play slightly slower (18th). Expect a moderate tempo with potential for a lopsided score if the Lakers pull away.
Injury Notes: LeBron James (foot) is questionable, LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Mark Williams (conditioning) are probable.
Hornets vs. Lakers DFS Player Pool Breakdown
NBA DFS Captain Picks
Luka Doncic (LAL - $15,900)
Through two games with the Lakers, Doncic averaged 15.0 PTS, 4.5 REB, and 4.0 AST in 23.5 MPG. With LeBron questionable (foot) and no minutes restriction, his role could explode to 35+ minutes and 35-40% usage. Charlotte’s defense (111.8 PPG allowed) is vulnerable, making him the top Captain choice. Chemistry with LA is still developing, but the upside is elite.
LaMelo Ball (CHA - $14,700)
Ball returns as Charlotte’s offensive engine. The Lakers’ interior defense gives him space to attack, offering a 40-50 fantasy-point ceiling. Blowout risk or rust post-injury could cap his minutes.
LeBron James (LAL - $15,300)
If LeBron plays, he feasts against a Hornets squad he’s historically dominated. Even with Luka Doncic on the floor his Usage is 27.7%, locking him as a Captain option is certainly a way to be different here today as the foot injury uncertainty clouds his status.
NBA DFS Utility Picks
Miles Bridges (CHA - $9,200)
Bridges should thrive facing Hachimura or DFS inside. As Charlotte’s No. 2 behind Ball, he could capitalize in transition. Efficiency against LA’s length is a concern, but the matchup boosts his outlook.
Austin Reaves (LAL - $8,400)
Reaves’ multi-category stats (21.5 PTS, 5.7 REB, 6.7 AST over his last 10) shine. He’s a reliable 30-40 fantasy-point producer, with added playmaking if LeBron sits. Steady floor with hidden upside. If LeBron is active, I’m a bit wearier as he has just a 12.6% usage rate with Luka Doncic on the floor even though that has translated still to 1.11 FP/Min.
Rui Hachimura (LAL - $7,000)
Hachimura starts at PF/C for 30+ minutes. He’s averaged 18 PTS in spot starts and faces a Charlotte frontcourt with no elite rim protector. Expect a 25-30 fantasy-point floor with breakout potential. Great value for the increased role.
Mark Williams (CHA - $8,600)
Back with the Hornets after a failed trade to LA, Williams is set to play and should own the paint against Hachimura or Hayes. His 11 PTS and 8 REB vs. the Lakers earlier this season is a baseline—expect more with a revenge narrative and favorable matchup. A must-roster.
Jaxson Hayes (LAL - $6,000)
Starting at center, Hayes has averaged nearly 25 MPG recently. He’s a 12-15 PTS, 8-10 REB candidate vs. Williams—a budget double-double threat.
NBA DFS Value Plays
Dorian Finney-Smith (LAL - $5,200)
With the Lakers, DFS fits into a 25–30-minute SF/PF role, especially if LeBron is out. His 3-and-D game complements Doncic and LeBron, and he’ll likely defend Bridges or Williams. Offers a 15-25 fantasy-point floor with rebounding potential. Affordable high-minute option with more upside if LeBron James sits.
Nick Smith Jr. (CHA - $4,200)
Charlotte’s thin backcourt (Mann, Miller out) could push Smith Jr. to 20-25 minutes off the bench. A punt play with 15-20 fantasy-point upside, especially if Ball’s minutes are limited. Cheap exposure to the Hornets’ offense.
Dalton Knecht (LAL - $5,600)
Knecht saw 17 minutes in his return to the Lakers’ rotation post-trade drama. A 3-point specialist with blowout potential, he’s a boom-or-bust option at low ownership.
Jusuf Nurkic (CHA - $5,000)
A high fantasy-point-per-minute player, Nurkic’s role is murky with Williams back and Moussa Diabate ahead of him. Still, 20 minutes could yield a double-double against LA’s frontcourt. Very risky because he could very well DNP.
KJ Simpson (CHA - $4,800)
Backup PG with 15-20 fantasy-point potential if Ball is limited. A low-cost dart throw for Hornets minutes.
Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL - $3,400)
Vanderbilt should see backup PF/C minutes, especially if LeBron rests. He’s competing with Alex Len (who played 22 MIN vs. Utah when Hayes was injured) for center backup duties—a situational value play.
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.