Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Charlie Grant
Pretty soon it’s going to be difficult for the rest of the NBA to ignore the high-flying Raptors. Toronto soars into Charlotte in search of its 14th win in its last 17 games.
NBA Spread and Betting Analysis
The Reptiles are coming off a 108-93 win and cover against the Sacramento Kings Sunday afternoon at the ACC. Toronto is now 20-8 straight up and 16-12 against the spread on the season. The under is 4-1 in the Raptors’ last five games and 15-13 for the year.
Charlotte won and covered on Monday night against a Knicks team missing Kristaps Porzingis. It was only the Hornets’ second victory in their last eight games. Buzz City is 11-19 SU and 12-16-2 ATS on the campaign with a 12-18 over/under record. The under has cashed in eight of the Hornets’ last 10 contests.
Toronto topped Charlotte 126-113 as a 7.5-point favourite at the ACC last month. The 126 points is the second most the defensive-minded Hornets have surrendered in a game this season.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto has stood in the shadow of a giant in the Eastern Conference ever since LeBron James returned to Cleveland. The Raptors won at least 48 games in each of the last four regular seasons only to be brushed aside during the playoffs.
It’s very possible this year’s Raptors might be the best team in franchise history. Toronto owns the third best net rating in the league at 8.4 – meaning the club outscores opponents by 8.4 points per 100 possessions. Only the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets possess a better net rating.
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte is fluttering right now with its head coach Steve Clifford out on a medical leave. The Hornets are 3-6 straight up and 3-5-1 against the spread since assistant coach Stephen Silas took the reins.
Buzz City is banged up beyond the coaching staff. Centre Dwight Howard is playing through a sprained foot, Nicolas Batum’s elbow issues are lingering and Jeremy Lamb’s dealing with pain in his shin.
