This does appear to be a potentially huge trap game for Toronto. The Raptors were fired up to host the NBA-best Bucks on Tuesday but lost that one and essentially lost any shot at catching Milwaukee for the best record in the Eastern Conference – that was a huge long shot regardless. Now the Dinos host an anonymous Charlotte team that is headed for the draft lottery, with Toronto starting a challenging five-game trip through the Western Conference on Sunday. Very easy to overlook the Hornets in this situation.

Charlotte is one of those teams caught in purgatory: No superstar, not good enough to make the playoffs but not bad enough to likely win the draft lottery and find a star. The team’s leading scorer is Devonte’ Graham, and he was a 2018 second-round pick who barely played last season.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Toronto leads the season series 2-0, winning 132-96 at home on Nov. 18 and 112-110 in overtime in Charlotte on Jan. 8. The series closes in North Carolina on April 8. OG Anunoby is averaging 21.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in the two games vs. the Hornets and Terence Davis 19.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry each played in just one of the two. Miles Bridges leads the Hornets in averaging 19.5 points and 7.0 rebounds vs. the Raptors and Terry Rozier is at 18.5 points.

Charlotte is 4-2 ATS in the past six meetings. The over is 5-1 in the previous six in Toronto.

Charlotte Hornets

On Wednesday, the NBA suspended Hornets guard Malik Monk indefinitely for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. Monk has largely been a bust as the No. 11 overall pick out of Kentucky in 2017. He was averaging 10.3 points this season while coming off the bench. He had been better lately, averaging 18.2 ppg in the past seven.

Charlotte snapped a two-game skid without Monk on Wednesday, beating the visiting Knicks 107-101. Rozier had 26 points and Graham 21. Cody Zeller got the night off in the second of a back-to-back but should be back Friday. Cody Martin picked up extra minutes with Monk out and had nine points and nine rebounds. The Hornets are 4-2 ATS in their past six.

Toronto Raptors

Toronto’s season-high-tying nine-game home winning streak ended in Tuesday’s 108-97 loss to the Bucks – we projected a Raptors victory because Milwaukee was coming off a draining overtime game the night before in Washington, D.C.

The Bucks did look tired early, down 12 late in the second quarter but broke it open by outscoring the Raptors 34-19 in the third. Siakam had 22 points, but Lowry’s six-game double-double run ended as he was 2-for-12 from the field for just 11 points along with six assists. Ibaka was 2-for-15 from the field and 1-for-10 from deep for five points. Toronto turned it over 17 times and the Bucks scored 19 points off those. The Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their past five on a Friday.

Who Will Win Hornets vs. Raptors?

Injuries

Charlotte

Terry Rozier (PG)

day-to-day Illness - 11 / 03 / 20

Jalen McDaniels (PF)

Prob Tues Heel - 01 / 03 / 20

Malik Monk (SG)

Out indefinitely Suspension - 26 / 02 / 20

Cody Zeller (PF)

Doub Wed Rest - 26 / 02 / 20

Cody Martin (PF)

Prob Thurs Concussion - 18 / 02 / 20

Terry Rozier (PG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 02 / 20

Cody Zeller (PF)

Prob Thurs Face - 10 / 02 / 20

Nicolas Batum (SG)

Late Feb Illness - 08 / 02 / 20

Cody Martin (PF)

Prob Wed Concussion - 07 / 02 / 20

P.J. Washington (PF)

Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 01 / 20

Toronto

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 21 / 08 / 20

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20

OG Anunoby (SF)

Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 08 / 20

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Mon Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Paul Watson (SG)

Doub Sun Back - 09 / 08 / 20

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Sun Eye - 08 / 08 / 20

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)

day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20

Oshae Brissett (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 07 / 20

Injuries

Charlotte

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Terry Rozier (PG)	day-to-day	Illness - 11 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Rozier is ailing from an illness. His status for when the league gets back into full swing is clouded.
Jalen McDaniels (PF)	Prob Tues	Heel - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
McDaniels left the last game with left heel discomfort, but he is likely to take the court Tuesday against the Spurs.
Malik Monk (SG)	Out indefinitely	Suspension - 26 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Monk has been suspended for violating the league's anti-drug program. It is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
Cody Zeller (PF)	Doub Wed	Rest - 26 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Zeller is not expected to play Wednesday against the Knicks due to a day of rest.
Cody Martin (PF)	Prob Thurs	Concussion - 18 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Martin is projected to be in Thursday's lineup versus the Bulls after clearing the concussion protocol.
Terry Rozier (PG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 12 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Rozier missed the last game with a sore left knee, but he is expected to be ready for Thursday's matchup against the Bulls.
Cody Zeller (PF)	Prob Thurs	Face - 10 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Zeller was held out the previous game due to facial lacerations but is likely to line up against the Bulls on Thursday.
Nicolas Batum (SG)	Late Feb	Illness - 08 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Batum has sat out the past three games due to an illness, and it is unclear if he will return Feb. 20 against the Bulls.
Cody Martin (PF)	Prob Wed	Concussion - 07 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Martin has missed the past two games after being placed in the concussion protocol due to having surgery to repair a nasal fracture. He is expected to be cleared prior to Wednesday's contest with the Timberwolves.
P.J. Washington (PF)	Ques Sat	Ankle - 30 / 01 / 20	-	-	+ -
Washington left the last game with an ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will take the court Saturday versus the Spurs.

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20	2-1	1-2	+ -
Ibaka is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 21 / 08 / 20	4-5	2-7	+ -
Hollis-Jefferson is bothered by swelling in his left knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 14 / 08 / 20	6-6	5-7	+ -
VanVleet will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Nuggets on Friday.
OG Anunoby (SF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 12 / 08 / 20	7-6	5-8	+ -
Anunoby is dealing with with soreness in his right knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-9	+ -
Ibaka is bothered by a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-9	+ -
VanVleet missed the last game due to a hyperextended right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's contest against the 76ers.
Paul Watson (SG)	Doub Sun	Back - 09 / 08 / 20	8-7	5-10	+ -
Watson is dealing with soreness in his lower back, and he is not expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the Grizzlies.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Sun	Eye - 08 / 08 / 20	9-7	5-11	+ -
Ibaka was forced from the previous game due to an eye laceration, but he is likely to be active Sunday versus the Grizzlies.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)	day-to-day	Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20	11-7	5-13	+ -
Hollis-Jefferson exited Saturday's game with an ankle injury, and his return is in question.
Oshae Brissett (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 31 / 07 / 20	11-7	5-13	+ -
Brissett is expected to be sideline for an extended period due to right knee surgery in order to remove loose bodies.