The NBA is back in action tonight coming off their All-Star break. Its not a full slate of games, but rather a lone matchup between the Charlotte Hornets vs. LA Lakers. Aside from this being the only NBA content on tap, there are other reasons you may want to tune in. The new look Lakers is one, with Luka Doncic being released from having his minutes limited, as well as another storyline around Hornet Mark Williams.
NBA Pick: Mark Williams Prop
You may remember these two teams had a trade all set to go, shipping Dalton Knecht to Charlotte, and bringing Williams to LA. However, the Lakers put the kibosh on the trade after giving it a thumbs down based on the results of Williams’ physical, shutting it down. That rejection from the Lakers’ brass has not sat well with Williams. He gets a shot at showing them up in tonight’s matchup.
He’s making his return after not playing since that physical and the the subsequent break. He had been logging over 30 minutes per game leading up to the time off, and has averaged 18 points and 11.4 rebounds in his last 15 starts. One of those starts was an 11 point, eight rebound effort vs. these Lakers. Notable is that matchup was one in which he was going heads up vs. Anthony Davis. Davis is now gone, and with him, is that elite rim protection, defense and rebounding. It should open things up for Williams down low, giving him extra opportunities to grab a few more rebounds.
LA now lacks size, is one of the weaker defensive teams in the Western Conference, and with their current pace of play, and putting the ball up (a lot), this sets-up for Williams to get enough mismatches around the rim to grab 10 or more rebounds.
Play: Mark Williams to grab over 9.5 rebounds (-116)
4 Nations Face-Off Play: Check out our 4 Nations Face-Off play from the Thursday final game between Team Canada and Team USA. We’ll also have a prop play or two posted tomorrow.