Consistency is the hallmark of any elite NBA team – and the Toronto Raptors have put together three consecutive quality games to open the season, the last coming without their best player.
Kawhi Leonard will be back in the lineup Monday night as the Raptors look to improve to 4-0 against the visiting Charlotte Hornets. Toronto has scored between 113 and 117 points in all three games this season and is coming off a narrow victory over powerhouse Boston.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 21 Oct 7:22pm | CHA | -9 -110 | O +221 -110 |
| Closing 22 Oct 8:22pm | CHA | -9 -110 | O +224.5 -110 |
Toronto is approaching double-digit favourite status in this one after putting the rest of the league on notice that this team is full value for a spot in the NBA Finals. But while Toronto has gone 5-2 ATS in its previous seven games against Southwest Division opponents, it does seem to suffer from a bit of a weekend hangover, having covered just four times in its past 13 Monday games. Charlotte comes in having gone 4-0 ATS in its past four games overall.
High totals have permeated the NBA landscape through the first week-plus of the season, and this game is no different, carrying a number of 222.5. The Hornets have been a sensational over play following a successful cover, having gone 16-4-1 O/U in their past 21 games in that scenario. Toronto, meanwhile, has cashed the over in each of its first four games of the 2018-19 season, while the teams have gone over the total in four of their last five meetings.
Charlotte Hornets
It’s clear that the Hornets’ success or failure depends heavily on the performance of their star point guard. Kemba Walker is off to a blistering start this season, averaging a whopping 35 points while attempting more than 25 field goals per game. But you can expect the Raptors to try and put the clamps on the Hornets’ top offensive option, with no other Charlotte player averaging more than 15 points. Bettors should consider the under on Walker’s point total.
Toronto Raptors
While the Raptors do rely on Leonard for a good chunk of their scoring – he paces the team at 27.5 points per game – they have the kind of offensive balance other teams can simply envy. Toronto has eight players averaging eight or more points through the first four games, including five in double figures. The Raptors are also shooting better from deep so far, having made 38.1 percent of their three-point attempts compared to a 35.8-percent success rate last season.
Injuries
Shelvin Mack (PG)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF)
Jeremy Lamb (SG)
Marvin Williams (PF)
Jeremy Lamb (SG)
Tony Parker (PG)
Nicolas Batum (SF)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF)
Tony Parker (PG)
Tony Parker (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Pascal Siakam (PF)
Jeremy Lin (PG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Serge Ibaka (C)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelvin Mack (PG) | Prob Wed | Personal - 08 / 04 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Mack missed the last game due to a personal matter but is likely to be available against the Magic on Wednesday. |
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| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF) | Prob Wed | Personal - 07 / 04 / 19 | 3-0 | 1-1-1 | + - |
|
Kidd-Gilchrist has been absent from the lineup during the past two games due to a personal matter but it is expected he will dress for Wednesday's matchup with the Magic. |
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| Jeremy Lamb (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 02 / 04 / 19 | 5-1 | 1-4-1 | + - |
|
Lamb is expected to take the court against the Pelicans on Wednesday despite dealing with right ankle discomfort. |
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| Marvin Williams (PF) | Out Wed | Foot - 02 / 04 / 19 | 5-1 | 1-4-1 | + - |
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Williams has missed the previous five games due to a right foot strain and will not return Wednesday against the Magic. |
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| Jeremy Lamb (SG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 26 / 03 / 19 | 7-2 | 4-4-1 | + - |
|
Lamb exited the previous game due to a right ankle sprain but is expected to suit up for Friday's matchup with the Lakers. |
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| Tony Parker (PG) | Prob Wed | Personal - 24 / 03 / 19 | 8-2 | 5-4-1 | + - |
|
Parker has been absent from the lineup due to a personal matter but is likely to be available against the Magic on Wednesday. |
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| Nicolas Batum (SF) | Prob Fri | Illness - 23 / 03 / 19 | 9-2 | 5-5-1 | + - |
|
Batum has missed the past three games due to illness, but it is likely he will return against the Lakers on Friday. |
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| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF) | Ques Fri | Concussion - 20 / 03 / 19 | 9-3 | 6-5-1 | + - |
|
Kidd-Gilchrist has missed the previous three games due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will be cleared in time for Friday's contest against the Lakers. |
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| Tony Parker (PG) | Out Tues | Rest - 18 / 03 / 19 | 9-4 | 6-6-1 | + - |
|
Parker will not suit up against the 76ers on Tuesday as he is to be rested. |
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| Tony Parker (PG) | Ques Fri | Rest - 13 / 03 / 19 | 10-5 | 7-7-1 | + - |
|
Parker may receive a day of rest against the Wizards, leaving his status for Friday's contest clouded. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Prob Mon | Face - 08 / 06 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Thurs | Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 | 7-4 | 6-6 | + - |
|
McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Pascal Siakam (PF) | Prob Sun | Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 | 9-6 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion. |
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| Jeremy Lin (PG) | Prob Tues | Back - 02 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 01 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Mon | Back - 18 / 04 / 19 | 13-8 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers. |
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| Serge Ibaka (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 | 15-9 | 10-15 | + - |
|
Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 | 15-10 | 10-15-1 | + - |
|
Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 | 18-10 | 12-16-1 | + - |
|
Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Fri | Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 | 19-10 | 12-17-1 | + - |
|
McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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Hornets vs. Raptors Prediction
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 21 Oct 7:22pm CHA -9 -110 O +221 -110 Closing 22 Oct 8:22pm CHA -9 -110 O +224.5 -110 -
Injuries
Shelvin Mack (PG)
Prob Wed Personal - 08 / 04 / 19Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF)
Prob Wed Personal - 07 / 04 / 19Jeremy Lamb (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 02 / 04 / 19Marvin Williams (PF)
Out Wed Foot - 02 / 04 / 19Jeremy Lamb (SG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 03 / 19Tony Parker (PG)
Prob Wed Personal - 24 / 03 / 19Nicolas Batum (SF)
Prob Fri Illness - 23 / 03 / 19Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF)
Ques Fri Concussion - 20 / 03 / 19Tony Parker (PG)
Out Tues Rest - 18 / 03 / 19Tony Parker (PG)
Ques Fri Rest - 13 / 03 / 19Fred VanVleet (PG)
Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19Pascal Siakam (PF)
Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19Jeremy Lin (PG)
Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19Serge Ibaka (C)
Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Shelvin Mack (PG) Prob Wed Personal - 08 / 04 / 19 2-0 1-1 + - Mack missed the last game due to a personal matter but is likely to be available against the Magic on Wednesday.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF) Prob Wed Personal - 07 / 04 / 19 3-0 1-1-1 + - Kidd-Gilchrist has been absent from the lineup during the past two games due to a personal matter but it is expected he will dress for Wednesday's matchup with the Magic.
Jeremy Lamb (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 02 / 04 / 19 5-1 1-4-1 + - Lamb is expected to take the court against the Pelicans on Wednesday despite dealing with right ankle discomfort.
Marvin Williams (PF) Out Wed Foot - 02 / 04 / 19 5-1 1-4-1 + - Williams has missed the previous five games due to a right foot strain and will not return Wednesday against the Magic.
Jeremy Lamb (SG) Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 03 / 19 7-2 4-4-1 + - Lamb exited the previous game due to a right ankle sprain but is expected to suit up for Friday's matchup with the Lakers.
Tony Parker (PG) Prob Wed Personal - 24 / 03 / 19 8-2 5-4-1 + - Parker has been absent from the lineup due to a personal matter but is likely to be available against the Magic on Wednesday.
Nicolas Batum (SF) Prob Fri Illness - 23 / 03 / 19 9-2 5-5-1 + - Batum has missed the past three games due to illness, but it is likely he will return against the Lakers on Friday.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF) Ques Fri Concussion - 20 / 03 / 19 9-3 6-5-1 + - Kidd-Gilchrist has missed the previous three games due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will be cleared in time for Friday's contest against the Lakers.
Tony Parker (PG) Out Tues Rest - 18 / 03 / 19 9-4 6-6-1 + - Parker will not suit up against the 76ers on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Tony Parker (PG) Ques Fri Rest - 13 / 03 / 19 10-5 7-7-1 + - Parker may receive a day of rest against the Wizards, leaving his status for Friday's contest clouded.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Fred VanVleet (PG) Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19 2-0 1-2 + - VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 7-4 6-6 + - McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Pascal Siakam (PF) Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 9-6 8-8 + - Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion.
Jeremy Lin (PG) Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Chris Boucher (PF) Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks.
Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19 13-8 9-13 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers.
Serge Ibaka (C) Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 15-9 10-15 + - Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 15-10 10-15-1 + - Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 18-10 12-16-1 + - Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 19-10 12-17-1 + - McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.