The Toronto Raptors have been sensational all season, but they’ve reached an entirely new level with Marc Gasol in the lineup.
A last-second heave in their last meeting with Toronto helped the Charlotte Hornets keep their flickering playoff hopes alive. But those hopes have all but died as the Hornets look to handle the Raptors in their latest encounter Friday night at Spectrum Center. Host Charlotte will likely need to win each of its final four games – and get a little help from other teams – if it hopes to reach the postseason for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Bettors might be better off waiting to see who will dress or sit for the Raptors, but the prevailing trends favour the visitors in this one. The Raptors come in having covered each of their previous four games and are a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last four away from Scotiabank Arena. Charlotte, on the other hand, is just 3-7 ATS in its past 10 games following a straight-up victory and 15-35-1 ATS in its last 51 encounters with Atlantic Division opponents.
These teams bring out the best in each other from a points perspective, so don’t be surprised to see bettors hammer the over in this one. Not only are the teams 6-1 O/U in their previous seven meetings, but both teams come in with solid over trends overall. Toronto has gone 6-2-1 O/U in its last seven games and has converted the over eight times in its last 11 vs. East foes. The Hornets are 9-4 to the over in their past 13 home games.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have been sensational all season, but they’ve reached an entirely new level with Marc Gasol in the lineup. The star centre, who joined the team prior to the trade deadline, has helped the Raptors produce a point differential of plus-16 per 100 possessions when he’s on the court, according to Ben Falk of Cleaning the Glass. Extrapolated over the course of a full season, that pace would make the Raptors a 73-win team.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets had hoped that Jeremy Lamb’s game-winning bank three against the Raptors last month would kickstart the kind of run that would lead the team to a postseason spot – but the Hornets have gone just 2-3 SU since to leave their playoff chances hanging by a thread. And they’ll almost certainly need Kemba Walker to be much better than in their last meeting, when he was held to 3-of-17 shooting for just 15 points in the narrow win.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 5 Apr 2:09pm | TOR | -4.5 -110 | O +223 -110 |
| Closing 5 Apr 11:00pm | TOR | -6 -115 | O +224 -110 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
| 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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| 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 | + - |
|
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. |
|||||
| 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. |
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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. |
|||||
| 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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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 5 Apr 2:09pm TOR -4.5 -110 O +223 -110 Closing 5 Apr 11:00pm TOR -6 -115 O +224 -110 -
Injuries
Fred 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 / 19Shelvin 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 / 19Injuries
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.
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.