Toronto opens the new week with a trip to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, a potentially important game in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Raptors are 2-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 224.0.

Raptors vs. Hornets NBA Betting Odds

Monday is the second of three regular-season meetings, with Toronto returning to Charlotte on Feb. 25. These teams are in the same boat for the most part in trying to get into the Eastern Conference’s top six (the Dinos are currently sixth) and avoid the play-in tournament for the final two postseason spots.

Thus, a win here would be huge for the Dinos as they would clinch the season series – and own a head-to-head tiebreaker – thanks to a 125-113 home victory over the Hornets on Jan. 25, despite playing without Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes. Gary Trent Jr. (32 points), Pascal Siakam (24 points, 12 assists, nine rebounds) and OG Anunoby (24 points) dominated as the Dinos shot 52.4 per cent. The Hornets got 25 points from LaMelo Ball and 22 from Miles Bridges, but starter Gordon Hayward was out.

Charlotte leads the all-time series 46-41 and is 5-1 ATS in the past six.

Toronto Raptors

The Dinos start a three-game road trip on a five-game winning streak following a 125-114 home victory over Atlanta on Friday – Toronto’s second win over the Hawks last week. Siakam matched his season high with 33 points (21 in the first quarter; Siakam holds the team record with 25 points in a quarter in the first of a Jan. 26, 2020 win in Sacramento) and All-Star VanVleet had 26 points and 11 assists. The five-game winning streak is one shy of the Raptors’ season high. They are averaging 118.4 points in that streak. Toronto is five games above .500 for the first time since ending the 2019-2020 season at 53-19. Siakam is of just five players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season. Toronto is 4-0 ATS in its past four as a favourite.

Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte is capable of beating any team on a given night but also losing to anyone. The Hornets are in a funk right now on a four-game slide. They were trounced at home by Miami on Saturday, 104-86. Charlotte shot just 38.4 per cent and had 20 turnovers. The team had eight third-quarter points, its fewest in a quarter since March 21, 2016. Rookie James Bouknight almost fought head coach James Borrego on the bench during that quarter. Bouknight doesn’t play much. Former All-Star Hayward is an ugly 3-for-20 shooting in two games since returning from COVID protocols. Ball was an All-Star snub and it seemed to affect him Saturday as he played a scant 22 minutes. The Hornets are pretty healthy with only reserve Jalen McDaniels likely to miss this game. Charlotte is 5-1 ATS in its past six as a dog.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Raptors vs. Hornets?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Raptors Team Leaders

TOR

Points	Pascal Siakam 22.81
Assists	Fred VanVleet 6.68
Rebounds	Pascal Siakam 8.53
FG%	D.J. Wilson 73.3
Steals	Gary Trent Jr. 1.74
Blocks	Chris Boucher 0.94

CHA

Points	Miles Bridges 20.16
Assists	LaMelo Ball 7.61
Rebounds	Mason Plumlee 7.74
FG%	Nick Richards 66.7
Steals	LaMelo Ball 1.59
Blocks	P.J. Washington 0.94

TOR

Points	Pascal Siakam 22.83
Assists	Fred VanVleet 6.25
Rebounds	Scottie Barnes 9
FG%	Dalano Banton 100
Steals	Fred VanVleet 1.75
Blocks	Chris Boucher 1.17

CHA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Hornets Team Leaders

TOR

Points	Pascal Siakam 22.81
Assists	Fred VanVleet 6.68
Rebounds	Pascal Siakam 8.53
FG%	D.J. Wilson 73.3
Steals	Gary Trent Jr. 1.74
Blocks	Chris Boucher 0.94

CHA

Points	Miles Bridges 20.16
Assists	LaMelo Ball 7.61
Rebounds	Mason Plumlee 7.74
FG%	Nick Richards 66.7
Steals	LaMelo Ball 1.59
Blocks	P.J. Washington 0.94

TOR

Points	Pascal Siakam 22.83
Assists	Fred VanVleet 6.25
Rebounds	Scottie Barnes 9
FG%	Dalano Banton 100
Steals	Fred VanVleet 1.75
Blocks	Chris Boucher 1.17

CHA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

Injuries

Toronto

Gary Trent Jr. (SG)

Prob Wed Illness - 17 / 04 / 22

Khem Birch (C)

Ques Mon Head - 16 / 04 / 22

Thaddeus Young (PF)

Prob Mon Thumb - 16 / 04 / 22

Pascal Siakam (PF)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Juwan Morgan (PF)

Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 04 / 22

OG Anunoby (SF)

Prob Sun Quadricep - 03 / 04 / 22

Isaac Bonga (SG)

Ques Sun Toe - 03 / 04 / 22

Yuta Watanabe (SG)

Out Fri Quadricep - 31 / 03 / 22

Khem Birch (C)

Prob Wed Knee - 28 / 03 / 22

Gary Trent Jr. (SG)

Prob Mon Toe - 21 / 03 / 22

Charlotte

Nick Richards (C)

Ques Wed Hand - 10 / 04 / 22

Gordon Hayward (SF)

Late April Foot - 05 / 04 / 22

Jalen McDaniels (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 09 / 03 / 22

James Bouknight (SG)

Out indefinitely Neck - 28 / 02 / 22

Cody Martin (PF)

Prob Mon Back - 28 / 02 / 22

Cody Martin (PF)

Doub Sun Back - 27 / 02 / 22

Nick Richards (C)

Prob Wed Foot - 24 / 02 / 22

James Bouknight (SG)

Prob Fri Wrist - 07 / 02 / 22

Gordon Hayward (SF)

Prob Sat Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22

Cody Martin (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22

Injuries

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Gary Trent Jr. (SG)	Prob Wed	Illness - 17 / 04 / 22	2-3	1-4	+ -
Trent Jr. is battling a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will take on the 76ers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Khem Birch (C)	Ques Mon	Head - 16 / 04 / 22	2-4	1-5	+ -
Birch is tending to a head injury, and it is unknown if he will battle the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Thaddeus Young (PF)	Prob Mon	Thumb - 16 / 04 / 22	2-4	1-5	+ -
Young is bothered by a hyperextended left thumb, but it is expected that he will be active for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Pascal Siakam (PF)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-5	2-5	+ -
Siakam will not dress for Sunday's matchup versus the Knicks as he will be given a day of rest.
Juwan Morgan (PF)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 05 / 04 / 22	4-6	4-6	+ -
Morgan is going trough the league's health and safety protocols, and it is unclear when he will return to the court.
OG Anunoby (SF)	Prob Sun	Quadricep - 03 / 04 / 22	5-6	4-7	+ -
Anunoby has sat out the previous four games with a right quad contusion, but it is expected that he will participate in Sunday's clash versus the Knicks.
Isaac Bonga (SG)	Ques Sun	Toe - 03 / 04 / 22	5-6	4-7	+ -
Bonga has been held out of the last four contests with a sprained right big toe, and it is undecided if he will play against the Knicks on Sunday.
Yuta Watanabe (SG)	Out Fri	Quadricep - 31 / 03 / 22	6-6	4-8	+ -
Watanabe has sat out the last four games with a sore left quad, and he will not face the Rockets on Friday.
Khem Birch (C)	Prob Wed	Knee - 28 / 03 / 22	7-7	5-9	+ -
Birch sat out the last contest tending to a swollen right knee, but it is projected that he will battle the Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Gary Trent Jr. (SG)	Prob Mon	Toe - 21 / 03 / 22	9-9	7-11	+ -
Trent Jr. has sat out the last three contests with a left big toe hyperextension, but it is anticipated that he will be available to battle the Celtics on Monday.

Charlotte

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Nick Richards (C)	Ques Wed	Hand - 10 / 04 / 22	2-0	1-1	+ -
Richards has a left hand contusion, and it has yet to be determined if he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Hawks.
Gordon Hayward (SF)	Late April	Foot - 05 / 04 / 22	3-2	3-2	+ -
Hayward is sidelined due to discomfort in his left foot, and he will not be available until at least the end of April.
Jalen McDaniels (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 09 / 03 / 22	10-7	9-8	+ -
McDaniels was held out of the previous game due to a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will play against the Pelicans on Friday.
James Bouknight (SG)	Out indefinitely	Neck - 28 / 02 / 22	12-9	11-10	+ -
Bouknight is out of action with neck soreness, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Cody Martin (PF)	Prob Mon	Back - 28 / 02 / 22	12-9	11-10	+ -
Martin is dealing with lower-back tightness, but it is likely that he will partake in Monday's matchup with the Bucks.
Cody Martin (PF)	Doub Sun	Back - 27 / 02 / 22	13-9	11-11	+ -
Martin is dealing with lower-back tightness, and it is unlikely that he will take the court Sunday versus the Pistons.
Nick Richards (C)	Prob Wed	Foot - 24 / 02 / 22	13-9	11-12	+ -
Richards has sat out the last three games due to a sore right foot, but it is anticipated that he will face the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
James Bouknight (SG)	Prob Fri	Wrist - 07 / 02 / 22	14-13	14-15	+ -
Bouknight has been absent from the last two contests due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to lace up for Friday's clash with the Pistons.
Gordon Hayward (SF)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22	14-13	14-15	+ -
Hayward has been sidelined with sprained ligaments in his left ankle, but it is expected that he will return to action for Saturday's matchup versus the 76ers.
Cody Martin (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 07 / 02 / 22	14-13	14-15	+ -
Martin has been out of action with a left ankle injury and Achilles soreness, but it is likely that he will suit up for Friday's tilt versus the Raptors.