The Toronto Raptors (3-8) play host to the Charlotte Hornets (6-7) at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., for the second time in three days with a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off Saturday. Below, we analyze the Hornets-Raptors NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Raptors dropped the Hornets by a 111-108 count Thursday. Toronto had to hold off a fourth-quarter comeback attempt by Charlotte in which the Hornets outscored the Raps 22-12 in the final 12 minutes to cover as 10-point underdogs.
Hornets at Raptors: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hornets +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Raptors -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hornets +7.5 (-120) | Raptors -7.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: 219.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hornets at Raptors: Key Injuries
Hornets
- SF Gordon Hayward (hip) questionable
- C Cody Zeller (hand) out
Raptors
- C Alex Len (personal) out
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Hornets at Raptors: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Raptors 112, Hornets 101
Money line (ML)
Both teams had better than average shooting performances Thursday with Toronto going 20-for-50 from 3-point range and Charlotte going 15-for-35. The Raptors and Hornets are shooting 36.8% and 36.3%, respectively, from beyond the arc for the season. The Hornets’ 35 attempts in the game were right on their season average while the Raptors chucked more than usual.
Raptors C Chris Boucher was the surprise star of the game with 25 points and 10 rebounds. His 30 minutes were well above his season average and provided the bench scoring Toronto has been sorely missing. Look for him to have another big game in a mismatch against the Charlotte frontcourt.
Liking the Raptors to win, we’ll PASS on a money line bet as they don’t deserve to be -275 favorites with a 3-8 record. The Hornets nearly pulled off the comeback Thursday and could have Hayward back in the lineup Saturday.
Against the spread (ATS)
The Hornets improved to 7-6 ATS with Thursday’s cover. They’ve covered in five of their last six games and were underdogs in all but one of those contests.
Toronto led by as much as 18 Thursday and it was the Hornets who outperformed their season averages by a greater margin, and without one of their top shooters in Hayward.
Take the RAPTORS -7.5 (+100) to close out better and win by at least 8 points.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 219.5 (-110). Thursday’s 111-108 win by Toronto just topped the 217-point closing line.
With some shooting regression in store for both sides and better defense expected following a rest day, they’ll fall short of a higher projection.
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Also see:
- Malik Monk says he stayed locked in on becnh by mentoring, coaching LaMelo Ball (Lonzo Wire)
- Check NBA salaries from back in the day (Hoops Hype)
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