The NBA All-Star break traditionally extends until Thursday, but the Wednesday NBA schedule brings a makeup game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets after their Jan. 9 contest was postponed due to the wildfires in the L.A. area. LeBron James (foot) is listed as questionable for the Lakers, but after opting to sit out the All-Star Game on Sunday, he told reporters he’s hopeful that he’ll be available. Luka Doncic is off the injury report and is expected to not be on a minutes restriction after being held to under 24 minutes in his first two games with L.A.

Tipoff is at 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The latest Lakers vs. Hornets odds via SportsLine consensus list Los Angeles at -12.5, and the over/under at 229. James’ over/under for total points is 23.5 (+100/-122), while Doncic’s is 25.5 (-115/-105).

Before locking in any Hornets vs. Lakers picks or props, make sure to check out the NBA prop 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 prop picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks.

Top Luka Doncic prop pick for Lakers vs. Hornets

After 10,000 simulations, the model is projecting that Doncic goes Over 7.5 assists. Doncic hasn’t hit this number with the Lakers yet, but he averaged 8.6 assists per game in November and 8.1 in December, the last two months he played for the Mavs before missing time with a calf injury.

Doncic also has a great chance to see his minutes expand after playing 23 and 24 in his first two matchups before the break. The Hornets allow an average of 26.3 assists per game to opponents, and Doncic should be one of the main facilitators whether James is on the floor or not. Additionally, Charlotte plays at one of the 10 fastest paces in the NBA, so the up-and-down contests it tends to engage in make it conducive for opponents to pile up stats.

The model projects 7.7 assists for Doncic and gives this pick a 3.5-star rating, making it one of its more confident Doncic props for the evening. See all the Lakers vs. Hornets player props at SportsLine.

How to make Hornets vs. Lakers prop picks

SportsLine’s model has also made the call on Doncic’s points and rebounds props, and it has a 4.5-star pick on another player’s point total. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.