Off a disappointing 1-2 homestand, the Raptors enter a second straight game they really should win as they visit the struggling Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
The Dinos opened as 3-point favourites on the NBA odds.
Raptors vs. Hornets NBA Betting Odds
The Hornets are one of those franchises that can’t seem to ever get out of its own way or get continued good luck. Yes, the team struck gold when point guard LaMelo Ball slipped to No. 3 overall in the 2020 draft – Golden State took James Wiseman at No. 2 overall, and that may haunt the Warriors franchise for many years – but Ball can’t stay healthy, somewhat like his older brother Lonzo of the Chicago Bulls. LaMelo suffered a severe right ankle sprain on Nov. 26 and isn’t particularly close to a return.
Charlotte seems a lock to miss the Eastern Conference playoffs for an eighth straight season. Perhaps that’s why Michael Jordan, the ultimate winner, sold the team fairly recently. With new ownership, it seems very unlikely that coach Steve Clifford is back next season. This is his second stint as head coach, and it was always puzzling to many around the NBA why he was hired back in the first place.
This is the first of four meetings between the teams – it wasn’t on the original schedule but is a “fill-in” game for both after In-Season Tournament elimination. Toronto won all four last season, covering the spread in each, but trails all-time 47-46 and 28-17 as the road team.
Toronto Raptors
Let’s be clear that on a given night, any NBA team can beat another. Well, maybe not the Detroit Pistons beating anyone right now but otherwise. That said, the rested and healthy Raptors should not have lost at home Wednesday to a Miami Heat team missing three starters, led by All-Star-calibre guys Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. But the Heat led most of the way in a 112-103 victory. The Dinos are one of the NBA’s top teams in terms of fastbreak points but had only five. They also were out-assisted, which is rare. Many, many careless turnovers for Toronto as well. After giving up 66 points in the first half, the Heat allowed 37 points after the break. Pascal Siakam scored 30 points for the fourth time this season, and Toronto lost for the first time in those four. Dennis Schroder had a rough game in shooting 4-for-18. He wasn’t signed to shoot 18 times. Scottie Barnes was only 5-for-17.
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte lost a second straight game Wednesday, 111-100 in Chicago. We mentioned above that LaMelo Ball is hurt and that was his fourth straight missed game. Starting centre Mark Williams (back contusion) was scratched from the lineup not long before tipoff. Charlotte used just three players off the bench. Not clear if Williams may play here. The 2022 first-round pick averages 13.2 points on 65.3 per cent shooting and 10.1 rebounds per game. Nick Richards started for him (six points, 11 rebounds) and would again. Gordon Hayward led the Hornets with 27 points (tied season high) and Terry Rozier had 25. The team took Alabama forward Brandon Miller at No. 2 overall in this year’s draft and he has been OK, averaging 14.2 points and 4.2 rebounds.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Raptors vs. Hornets?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 8 Dec 12:29am | CHA | -4.5 -105 | O +223.5 -110 |
| Closing 9 Dec 2:43am | CHA | -1.5 -110 | O +228.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
| Points |
21.75 |
| Assists |
6.76 |
| Rebounds |
8.58 |
| FG% |
65.6 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
23.91 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
9.68 |
| FG% |
69.1 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
1.1 |
- Regular Season
Hornets Team Leaders
| Points |
21.75 |
| Assists |
6.76 |
| Rebounds |
8.58 |
| FG% |
65.6 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
23.91 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
9.68 |
| FG% |
69.1 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
1.1 |
Injuries
RJ Barrett (SF)
Mouhamadou Gueye (PF)
Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
RJ Barrett (SF)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Jordan Nwora (PF)
Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Gradey Dick (SG)
Miles Bridges (SF)
Davis Bertans (PF)
Nick Richards (C)
Grant Williams (PF)
Leaky Black (SF)
Grant Williams (PF)
Amari Bailey (PG)
Miles Bridges (SF)
Vasilije Micic (PG)
Grant Williams (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RJ Barrett (SF) | Out Sun | Knee - 14 / 04 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Barrett is bothered by knee soreness, and he will not battle the Heat on Sunday. |
|||||
| Mouhamadou Gueye (PF) | Out Sun | Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Gueye is hampered by a right thumb sprain, and he will not take on the Heat in Sunday's showdown. |
|||||
| Immanuel Quickley (SG) | Out Sun | Hip - 13 / 04 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Quickley is laid up with a left adductor strain, and he will not participate in Sunday's tilt against the Heat. |
|||||
| Gary Trent Jr. (SG) | Ques Fri | Back - 10 / 04 / 24 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Trent Jr. was held out of the last contest due to back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take on the Heat on Friday. |
|||||
| RJ Barrett (SF) | Out Wed | Rest - 10 / 04 / 24 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Barrett will not partake in Wednesday's showdown versus the Nets as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Fri | Knee - 10 / 04 / 24 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Brown sat out the previous game with right knee inflammation, and it is unknown if he will face the Heat on Friday. |
|||||
| Jordan Nwora (PF) | Prob Wed | Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 24 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Nwora exited the previous game with an undefined issue, but it is projected that he will dress for Wednesday's matchup with the Nets. |
|||||
| Kelly Olynyk (PF) | Out Wed | Rest - 10 / 04 / 24 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Olynyk will not be available for Wednesday's clash with the Nets as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Immanuel Quickley (SG) | Out Tues | Rest - 08 / 04 / 24 | 2-2 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Quickley will not be active for Tuesday's clash with the Pacers as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Gradey Dick (SG) | Prob Wed | Groin - 07 / 04 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Dick missed the last game with a right groin contusion, but it is projected that he will line up against the Nets on Wednesday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles Bridges (SF) | Out Sun | Wrist - 13 / 04 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Bridges is hampered by a right wrist contusion, and he will not face the Cavaliers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Davis Bertans (PF) | Out Sun | Achilles - 13 / 04 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Bertans is dealing with left Achilles soreness, and he will not suit up for Sunday's clash versus the Cavaliers. |
|||||
| Nick Richards (C) | Out Sun | Heel - 11 / 04 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Richards missed the previous contest due to discomfort in his right plantar fascia, and it will affect his status against the Cavaliers on Sunday hazy. |
|||||
| Grant Williams (PF) | Out Sun | Ankle - 11 / 04 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Williams was held out of the last match with a right ankle sprain, and he will not be in the lineup Sunday against the Cavaliers. |
|||||
| Leaky Black (SF) | Prob Sun | Abdominal - 05 / 04 / 24 | 3-3 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Black missed the last game due to an abdominal strain, but it is expected that his status for Sunday's battle with the Thunder. |
|||||
| Grant Williams (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 04 / 04 / 24 | 3-3 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Williams is hampered by a right ankle sprain, but it is predicted that he will take the court Friday against the Magic. |
|||||
| Amari Bailey (PG) | Prob Wed | Illness - 03 / 04 / 24 | 4-3 | 6-1 | + - |
|
Bailey has sat out the previous four games due to illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Wednesday against the Hawks. |
|||||
| Miles Bridges (SF) | Prob Fri | Wrist - 02 / 04 / 24 | 4-3 | 6-1 | + - |
|
Bridges was absent from the previous clash with a right wrist contusion, but it is forecasted that he will suit up Friday versus the Magic. |
|||||
| Vasilije Micic (PG) | Prob Fri | Shoulder - 02 / 04 / 24 | 4-3 | 6-1 | + - |
|
Micic missed the last game with a right shoulder strain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Magic in Friday's showdown. |
|||||
| Grant Williams (PF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 02 / 04 / 24 | 4-3 | 6-1 | + - |
|
Williams is nursing a right ankle sprain, but he is expected to suit up for Wednesday's tilt versus the Trail Blazers. |
|||||
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 8 Dec 12:29am CHA -4.5 -105 O +223.5 -110 Closing 9 Dec 2:43am CHA -1.5 -110 O +228.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
Points 21.75
Assists 6.76
Rebounds 8.58
FG% 65.6
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.64
Points 23.91
Assists 8
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 69.1
Steals 1.82
Blocks 1.1
-
- Regular Season
Hornets Team Leaders
Points 21.75
Assists 6.76
Rebounds 8.58
FG% 65.6
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.64
Points 23.91
Assists 8
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 69.1
Steals 1.82
Blocks 1.1
-
Injuries
RJ Barrett (SF)
Out Sun Knee - 14 / 04 / 24Mouhamadou Gueye (PF)
Out Sun Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Out Sun Hip - 13 / 04 / 24Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Ques Fri Back - 10 / 04 / 24RJ Barrett (SF)
Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Fri Knee - 10 / 04 / 24Jordan Nwora (PF)
Prob Wed Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 24Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 24Gradey Dick (SG)
Prob Wed Groin - 07 / 04 / 24Miles Bridges (SF)
Out Sun Wrist - 13 / 04 / 24Davis Bertans (PF)
Out Sun Achilles - 13 / 04 / 24Nick Richards (C)
Out Sun Heel - 11 / 04 / 24Grant Williams (PF)
Out Sun Ankle - 11 / 04 / 24Leaky Black (SF)
Prob Sun Abdominal - 05 / 04 / 24Grant Williams (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 04 / 04 / 24Amari Bailey (PG)
Prob Wed Illness - 03 / 04 / 24Miles Bridges (SF)
Prob Fri Wrist - 02 / 04 / 24Vasilije Micic (PG)
Prob Fri Shoulder - 02 / 04 / 24Grant Williams (PF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 02 / 04 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes RJ Barrett (SF) Out Sun Knee - 14 / 04 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Barrett is bothered by knee soreness, and he will not battle the Heat on Sunday.
Mouhamadou Gueye (PF) Out Sun Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Gueye is hampered by a right thumb sprain, and he will not take on the Heat in Sunday's showdown.
Immanuel Quickley (SG) Out Sun Hip - 13 / 04 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Quickley is laid up with a left adductor strain, and he will not participate in Sunday's tilt against the Heat.
Gary Trent Jr. (SG) Ques Fri Back - 10 / 04 / 24 1-2 2-1 + - Trent Jr. was held out of the last contest due to back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take on the Heat on Friday.
RJ Barrett (SF) Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24 1-2 2-1 + - Barrett will not partake in Wednesday's showdown versus the Nets as he will be given a day of rest.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Fri Knee - 10 / 04 / 24 1-2 2-1 + - Brown sat out the previous game with right knee inflammation, and it is unknown if he will face the Heat on Friday.
Jordan Nwora (PF) Prob Wed Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 24 1-2 2-1 + - Nwora exited the previous game with an undefined issue, but it is projected that he will dress for Wednesday's matchup with the Nets.
Kelly Olynyk (PF) Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24 1-2 2-1 + - Olynyk will not be available for Wednesday's clash with the Nets as he will receive a day of rest.
Immanuel Quickley (SG) Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 24 2-2 3-1 + - Quickley will not be active for Tuesday's clash with the Pacers as he will be given a day of rest.
Gradey Dick (SG) Prob Wed Groin - 07 / 04 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Dick missed the last game with a right groin contusion, but it is projected that he will line up against the Nets on Wednesday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Miles Bridges (SF) Out Sun Wrist - 13 / 04 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Bridges is hampered by a right wrist contusion, and he will not face the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Davis Bertans (PF) Out Sun Achilles - 13 / 04 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Bertans is dealing with left Achilles soreness, and he will not suit up for Sunday's clash versus the Cavaliers.
Nick Richards (C) Out Sun Heel - 11 / 04 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - Richards missed the previous contest due to discomfort in his right plantar fascia, and it will affect his status against the Cavaliers on Sunday hazy.
Grant Williams (PF) Out Sun Ankle - 11 / 04 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - Williams was held out of the last match with a right ankle sprain, and he will not be in the lineup Sunday against the Cavaliers.
Leaky Black (SF) Prob Sun Abdominal - 05 / 04 / 24 3-3 5-1 + - Black missed the last game due to an abdominal strain, but it is expected that his status for Sunday's battle with the Thunder.
Grant Williams (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 04 / 04 / 24 3-3 5-1 + - Williams is hampered by a right ankle sprain, but it is predicted that he will take the court Friday against the Magic.
Amari Bailey (PG) Prob Wed Illness - 03 / 04 / 24 4-3 6-1 + - Bailey has sat out the previous four games due to illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Wednesday against the Hawks.
Miles Bridges (SF) Prob Fri Wrist - 02 / 04 / 24 4-3 6-1 + - Bridges was absent from the previous clash with a right wrist contusion, but it is forecasted that he will suit up Friday versus the Magic.
Vasilije Micic (PG) Prob Fri Shoulder - 02 / 04 / 24 4-3 6-1 + - Micic missed the last game with a right shoulder strain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Magic in Friday's showdown.
Grant Williams (PF) Prob Wed Ankle - 02 / 04 / 24 4-3 6-1 + - Williams is nursing a right ankle sprain, but he is expected to suit up for Wednesday's tilt versus the Trail Blazers.