Hornets vs. Raptors: Game Preview and Betting Odds

An exciting Eastern Conference game is scheduled for Friday as the Charlotte Hornets visit the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors` season record is 26-47 (16-21 at home), while the Hornets are 18-54 (7-28 on the road). In their previous encounter this season, the Hornets won, breaking the Raptors` three-game winning streak in head-to-head matchups. Against the spread (ATS) this season, Toronto is 43-28-2, and Charlotte is 34-36-2. LaMelo Ball (ankle) will not play for Charlotte.

The game will take place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Raptors are favored by 5.5 points in the Hornets vs. Raptors odds, according to consensus. The over/under for total points is set at 215.5.

SportsLine`s projection model, which has a strong track record in NBA predictions, has simulated this game 10,000 times and offers betting insights.

Here are the betting lines for Hornets vs. Raptors:

• Spread: Raptors -5.5
• Over/Under: 215.5 points
• Money Line: Raptors -216, Hornets +180
• Hornets ATS Record: 1-5 in their last six games
• Raptors Over/Under Record: Under is 5-1 in Toronto’s last six games

Why the Hornets Could Cover the Spread

Toronto will be without key players including their leading scorer, RJ Barrett, as well as Ochai Agbaji, and Gradey Dick (knee injury). This means Charlotte won`t have to defend against three double-digit scorers. Without these players, the Raptors have limited offensive firepower. Their offense already struggles, ranking low in points per game, offensive rating, 3-point percentage, and free throw percentage.

Charlotte`s offense has shown potential, scoring 138 points against Toronto in their earlier matchup, which was their second-highest score of the season and the third-most points the Raptors have allowed. The Hornets could capitalize on free throws, as Toronto frequently fouls, and Charlotte has been excellent from the free-throw line recently, shooting 87.1% over their last 10 games.

Why the Raptors Could Cover the Spread

Despite a challenging season, the Raptors have performed well against the spread. They hold the best ATS record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best in the entire NBA. Toronto also benefits from having one day of rest before this game, with a 30-12 ATS record when having one day off.

Charlotte, focusing more on draft positioning, will be without LaMelo Ball, a central part of their offense. Ball`s absence significantly impacts the Hornets` offense, which historically performs much worse without him.

Game Prediction

The prediction model leans towards the Under for this game, projecting a total of 215 points. It also indicates an edge on one side of the spread.

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