The Charlotte Hornets need to step up their game if they're to make the playoffs, coming back from the All Star break 5 1/2 games out of the No. 8 spot (Miami) in the East with only 25 games left in the regular season.

The Nets entered the break with a 19-40 record, having lost seven in a row, and their season is already all but over. That is particularly true considering Jeremy Lin's season-ending knee injury, although star point guard D'Angelo Russell is expected to make his first start for the Nets since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in November.

Still, the Hornets should be the more motivated team here, and I think they'll want to set the tone for the second half of the season with a blowout win.

My selection is a 10* play on Charlotte Hornets ATS.