The Toronto Raptors (45-32) head to Charlotte (33-43) to take on the Hornets in a matchup that pits the fourth-ranked offense against the fourth-ranked defense. The game gets underway at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Apr. 8 and will air on SN 360 and SPSO.
The Hornets edged the 76ers 92-91 on Saturday. Kemba Walker was the game’s high scorer with 24 points on 11-for-21 shooting. The Raptors, meanwhile, are coming off a bitter 117-116 loss at the hands of the Celtics on Saturday. DeMar DeRozan had a game-high 38 points.
Over the last five games, DeRozan and Lou Williams have been hot for the Raptors. During that stretch, DeRozan has averaged 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.6 three-pointers. Not to be outdone, Williams has put up 19.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 3.4 three-pointers.
It will be a matchup of strength versus strength, as the high-octane offense of the Raptors (fourth in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 108.0) takes the court against the top-notch defense of the Hornets (fourth in the league with a defensive efficiency of 100.1).
The Hornets have won both matchups against the Raptors this season, including a 103-94 victory in their last matchup. Al Jefferson recorded a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Hornets are looking to improve on their records of 33-43 Straight Up (SU) and 36-38-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 25-22 SU and 24-21-2 ATS against teams from the Eastern Conference. The Hornets, sporting the fourth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA (1.83), have proven themselves to be an extremely efficient offensive team.
On the other side, Toronto has a SU record of 45-32 and an ATS record of 35-41-1. In Eastern Conference games, Toronto has gone 29-18 SU and 22-25 ATS. The Raptors are shooting lights out from the foul line so far, with a .787 free throw percentage that ranks second in the NBA. Toronto has not committed many turnovers, averaging only 12.2 per game.
Charlotte won the last meeting this season between these two teams, bringing its SU record to 7-3 over the Raptors in the last 10 games. Additionally, with a 7-3 record, the Hornets have the advantage ATS. Toronto topped the Hornets in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) twice over the last 10. Charlotte has never had the edge in all categories.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, ATS Winner – TOR
Notes
Charlotte is 4-8-1 SU in its last 13 games,.
Charlotte is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home.
Charlotte is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte’s last 6 games when playing Toronto.
Charlotte is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte’s last 7 games when playing at home against Toronto.
Charlotte is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto.
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Charlotte.
Toronto is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Charlotte.
Charlotte puts up an average of 94.9 points per game (ranked 26th), while Toronto gives up 101.5 points per game (ranked 22nd).
On average, Charlotte puts up 95.7 points per home game (ranked 28th), while Toronto allows 104.6 points per away game (ranked 25th).
In its last game, Toronto lost by a margin of one point. Charlotte is 6-8 in games decided by three points or less. Toronto has a 4-4 record in close games.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Toronto Raptors are an outstanding 27-5. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Charlotte Hornets have a losing record of 12-33.
Toronto is 18-27 when allowing 100 or more points this season. The Hornets have a solid 21-10 record when hitting triple digits.
Toronto’s offense and Charlotte’s defense both rank fourth this season. Toronto has an offensive rating of 108.0 and Charlotte has a defensive rating of 100.1.
The Toronto Raptors average a field goal percentage of 45.6% this season. The Charlotte Hornets have a subpar record of 5-22 when opponents have a FG% of 45.6% or greater.
On average, the Charlotte Hornets attempt 18.6 three point field goals per game and the Toronto Raptors attempt 24.9 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Charlotte has a subpar record of 2-4, while Toronto is 24-19.
Charlotte ranks near the top of the league with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.83 (ranked fourth). Toronto is ranked ninth, with an A/TO of 1.71.
Toronto ranks 26th in rebounds per game with 41.5, while Charlotte ranks eighth with 44.4.
The Toronto Raptors rank 17th in offensive rebounding, while the Charlotte Hornets rank third in defensive rebounding.
Charlotte has forced an average turnover rate of 12.5% this season. In games where their turnover rate is 12.5% or higher, Toronto is an even 18-18.
