The Los Angeles Lakers (32-20) will face the Charlotte Hornets (13-39) on Wednesday in a much-anticipated cross-conference matchup. This rare occurrence is the only game scheduled for Wednesday, and it serves as a makeup for the January 9 game which had to be canceled due to wildfires in Los Angeles.

Luka Doncic, who has recently joined the Lakers, is expected to significantly impact the game. He currently averages 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game but finished his last game with only 16 points.

On the other hand, Austin Reaves is also shaping up to be a key player, contributing an average of 19.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.

The Hornets have Miles Bridges, who brings physicality and skill, averaging 19.5 points per game, continuing to be a vital player for Charlotte. With the recent acquisition of Jusuf Nurkic, the Hornets are hoping to build depth in the frontcourt with Williams likely reconditioning for this matchup.

Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena. The latest odds from SportsLine show the Lakers as 12-point favorites, with a total points over/under set at 227. Los Angeles money line is currently at -893, while Charlotte sits at +598.

For further analysis and predictions, check out SportsLine for in-depth insights on the matchup. Here are several betting lines leading up to the game:

• Lakers vs. Hornets spread: Los Angeles -12
• Over/under: 227 points
• Money line: Los Angeles -893, Charlotte +598

Why the Lakers can cover: Doncic’s presence adds significant value, and with Reaves in top form, they maintain an edge.

Why the Hornets can cover: Bridges could dominate on the scoring front, especially if he continues his impressive form from the previous games.

For those interested in maximizing their NBA betting strategy, thorough data analysis is available at SportsLine.