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The NBA continues on Friday night as the Charlotte Hornets host the Toronto Raptors. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Raptors-Hornets prediction and pick.
Both of these teams had stellar first halves of the season. The Raptors are (32-25) and the Hornets are (29-31). The issue with the Hornets was they fell off toward the end of the first half. They went (1-9) in their final 10 games which really sent them below .500. The Raptors were the opposite, winning eight of their final 10 games and scoring 114 points per game during that span. The Raptors play a smaller and quicker style of basketball, and it's been paying off for them. This should turn into an offensive battle tonight as both teams are urging to get back on the court.
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Here are the Raptors-Hornets NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Raptors-Hornets Odds
Toronto Raptors: -2.5 (-110)
Charlotte Hornets: +2.5 (-110)
Over: 226 (-110)
Under: 226 (-110)
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Why The Raptors Could Cover The Spread
The Raptors played like one of the better teams in the NBA as the All-Star break came around. Fred VanVleet (whose 28th birthday is today) is coming off an All-Star appearance as well as the three-point contest. He's still day-to-day with a knee injury and is questionable for tonight. The Raptors need his presence out there as they are a far better team when he is running the show. Another stud on the Raptors is Gary Trent Jr. He's one of the bigger surprises this season as he is averaging 18.6 points per game on the season. Pascal Siakam still leads the team with 21.9 points per game so it will be on those three to get the job done tonight.
If VanVleet is out, then look for Svi Mykhailiuk or Malachi Flynn to step up and possibly fill that hole. The Raptors don't play a ton of guys, so the starters will get a majority of the minutes. Scottie Barnes is having himself a rookie season, averaging 14.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. Those are big-time numbers for the rookie out of Florida State. This Raptors team doesn't have any length at all, so they control the game with their backcourt and it's been working for them. On the defensive side tonight, they must contain LaMelo Ball as he and Miles Bridges both average 20 points per game this season.
Why The Hornets Could Cover The Spread
The Hornets need to get back on track. This will be a tough opponent for them to do so because the Raptors are hot. Ball and Bridges must be on their game if they want a chance. The Hornets' defense has allowed 115 points per game during their last 10 so that is not a good sign when the Raptors' offense is elite. They must try and disrupt Trent and Siakam tonight because those two are playing tonight. If VanVleet plays, the Hornets' chances of covering this spread diminish because of how well the Raptors play when he's available. The Hornets come into this matchup as the underdogs and that makes sense. It's a small spread so it's doable for them to cover and possibly upset. The Hornets must rely on their offense but need their defense to step up a little more than usual tonight.
Final Raptors-Hornets Prediction & Pick
I'm taking the Raptors on the road in this one. They seem like the better team and are playing very well as a group to not go with them in this one.
Final Raptors-Hornets Prediction & Pick: Raptors -2.5 (-110)
