**Hornets at Sonics**

–Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Seattle as a 1 1/2-point home ‘chalk’ over New Orleans, with the total set at 203. This contest is scheduled to tipoff at 10:05 p.m. ET.

–New Orleans (31-25 straight up, 30-25 against the spread) has strung together back-to-back victories both SU and ATS after dropping consecutive contests. The Hornets are off Sunday’s victory over Portland as a four-point road favorite, 88-75. The combined 163 points never seriously threatened the 186 1/2-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 3-1 the last four games.

–The game was tied at the beginning of the fourth quarter until New Orleans went on a 27-14 run. David West netted 22 points, while rookie Chris Paul contributed 19 and eight assists.

–The Hornets sport a 12-16 SU and 14-14 ATS road record, with the ‘over’ going 17-11. New Orleans, losing those affairs by an average score of 96-92, concludes its four-game West Coast road trip with Wednesday’s matchup with the Clippers.

–The Hornets are 2-0 both SU and ATS the previous two encounters with Seattle after prevailing Feb. 8 as a five-point home ‘chalk,’ 109-102. The combined 211 points eclipsed the 202 1/2-point closing total, enabling the ‘over’ to occur the second straight time in this series.

–Seattle (21-36 SU, 20-36 ATS) dropped to 1-4 SU its last five games after suffering Saturday’s setback to Miami as a 14-point road underdog, 115-106. The combined 221 points soared ‘over’ the 209-point closing total.

–The Sonics were on the short end of points in the paint, 84-38, and fast-break points, 35-19. Ray Allen paced the offense with 21 points and five rebounds, while Rashard Lewis added 25 and nine rebounds.

–Seattle maintains a 12-14 SU and 10-15 ATS home ledger at Key Arena, with the ‘over’ going a solid 20-5. This matchup with the Hornets marks the first game of the Sonics’ current five-game homestand.

–New Orleans forward Jackson Vroman (wrist) is expected to miss the next few months, while guard Speedy Claxton (ankle) is ‘questionable’ versus the Sonics.

–Seattle forward Danny Fortson (knee) is expected to miss the rest of the season, while center Nick Collison (personal) is ‘questionable’ against the Hornets and center Robert Swift (nose) is ‘probable.’

**Magic at Lakers**

–LVSC has Los Angeles as a nine-point home favorite over Orlando, with the total set at 196. FOX Sports West will provide coverage of this contest beginning at 10:35 p.m. ET.

–Orlando (20-35 SU, 28-26 ATS) dipped to 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS the past five games after falling to Houston Sunday as a 4 1/2-point home underdog, 89-84. The combined 173 points failed to topple the 182 1/2-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the second straight contest.

–Forward Grant Hill accounted for 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, while Carlos Arroyo poured in 17 and five rebounds off the bench. The Magic finished the contest by shooting 42 percent (28-of-67) from the field.

–Orlando is 6-21 SU and 14-12 ATS on the road, dropping those affairs by an average score of 99-92. The Magic begin a five-game West Coast road trip with this matchup.

–The Magic are 1-4 SU and 3-2 ATS the previous five meetings with the Lakers after falling Dec. 23 as a two-point home underdog, 104-88. The combined 192 points eclipsed the 185 1/2-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ improve to 3-1 the last four games in this series.

–Los Angeles (28-28 both SU and ATS) is presently mired in a two-game SU and ATS losing skid after Sunday’s defeat to Boston as a 7 1/2-point home ‘chalk,’ 112-111. The combined 223 points soared ‘over’ the 200 1/2-point closing total, ending a string of three consecutive ‘under’ outings.

–The Lakers outscored the Celtics in every quarter except the third when they trailed Boston, 37-24. Kobe Bryant led the team in scoring for the eighth straight contest with 40 points along with eight rebounds.

–Los Angeles sports a 15-11 SU and 11-15 ATS home ledger at Staples Center, with the ‘over’ going 16-10. The Lakers, winning those home games by an average score of 102-97, wrap up a brief two-game homestand with this contest before going on a two-game road trip.