The Raptors are searching their fifth consecutive home victory, while the Hornets are looking to snap the two-game losing run. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Charlotte Hornets at Toronto Raptors
Spread: Toronto Raptors -8 (-110) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: Over/Under 206 points (-110)
The Hornets want to end a six-game winless streak on the road
The Charlotte Hornets were in a three-match winning run before they suffered consecutive defeats to the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs, so they are now in the 11th position in the Eastern Conference with the 8-11 record. Charlotte is two wins behind the divisional rivals Miami and Washington, but what is concerning is the away form as the Hornets lost the previous six games on the road. On the other hand, Toronto is playing very well at home lately, so this one should be an intriguing encounter.
Charlotte was miserable from the field (36.9%) against the Spurs, and only four threes on 25 attempts (16%) is not enough to beat far weaker teams let alone San Antonio. The Hornets were pretty much equal in other segments, but the Spurs won convincingly 106:86. Kemba Walker led Charlotte with 18 points and five assists, Jeremy Lamb added 12 points, five rebounds, and four dimes, while Frank Kaminsky chipped in with 12 points. Dwight Howard recorded a double-double of ten points and 11 boards, but other players struggled including Nicolas Batum who scored just five, and Marvin Williams, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Michael Carter-Williams who combined for eight points in total and 2-17 from the field. These numbers are devastating for the Hornets, and I expect all of them to respond on Wednesday and play a more prominent role in the offense, especially Batum who hit only one shot on seven attempts in 22 minutes of action. The Frenchman is still searching for the right form after a lengthy absence, and it will be interesting to see how he’ll cope with DeMar DeRozan in an intriguing matchup. Walker is facing Kyle Lowry in another crucial matchup, while Howard should own the paint in a clash with Jonas Valanciunas. Lamb could be a difference maker off the bench as he will lead the second unit and could turn out to be vital for the outcome.
Steve Clifford could be without Kemba Walker for this tilt as the point guard is dealing with a shoulder injury he sustained in the third quarter against the Spurs and is listed as doubtful to feature here. Although he was able to continue the match, it seems that Walker will not make it and that would mean more playing time for Michael Carter-Williams and the starting spot as well. Frank Kaminsky (right foot sprain) is probable and will not be under minute restriction. The Hornets are scoring 105.37 points per contest on average (14th in the NBA), while they are allowing 106.11 points in return (17th in the NBA). Charlotte is among the best five teams (2nd) in the league when it comes to rebounding, while the defense is good in limiting the rivals to 44.23% from the field (8th), and 34.16^ from beyond the arc (7th).
Place: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 29th, 2017, 7:30 PM ET
TV Coverage: SPORTSNET ONE, FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST – CHARLOTTE, SPORTSNET ONE
The Raptors are hoping for the fifth home win in a row
The Toronto Raptors snapped a two-game losing streak with a 112:78 thrashing of the Atlanta Hawks and are currently in the 4th position in the Eastern Conference with the 12-7 record. Toronto has been excellent at Air Canada Centre where they secured six wins and suffered only one defeat, and the visitors will have a lot of work to do to make an upset on Wednesday. Charlotte did win the latest H2H duel in Toronto, but the Raptors won four straight before that.
Winning the second quarter by 25 points helped the Raptors to destroy the Atlanta Hawks, while 54.8% from the field played a big part in a convincing victory. Toronto dominated the boards (46-32) and assists (31-18), and the Hawks didn’t have a chance to surprise Dwane Casey’s side. Norman Powell led the Raptors with 17 points and game-high three steals, Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and eight rebounds, while Kyle Lowry posted a double-double of 15 points and 13 boards, along with six dimes. It was Lowry’s third straight double-double and seventh of the campaign, and he could be on the line to record another one in a matchup with Kemba Walker. Jakob Poeltl matched his career-high 14 points with seven rebounds, Paskal Siakam scored 13 points, four dimes, four boards, and a pair of thefts, while Serge Ibaka contributed with 12 points, four rebounds, and game-high two rejections. DeMar DeRozan didn’t play a significant role in the offense, as he scored a season-low two points, but I am sure he will bounce back on this one even though he is facing Nic Batum, who is an excellent defender. He banged up his knee and skipped the Monday practice but should be available when the Hornets come to the town on Wednesday.
Dwane Casey cannot count on Delon Wright who will miss around a month with a dislocated shoulder, while C.J. Miles is absent due to personal reasons as his wife gave birth to their first child and he will probably be sidelined for this one. The Raptors are scoring 109.58 points per contest on average (6th in the NBA), while they are allowing 102.63 points in return (9th in the NBA). Toronto is among the best five teams in the league (2nd) when it comes to shooting percentage (48.45%), while their defense is limiting the rivals to 41.53 rebounds per game, which is good enough for the 6th place in the NBA.
Charlotte Hornets at Toronto Raptors Trends & Prediction
The Hornets are 9-9-1 against the spread (2-6-1 away), while they are 9-10 on over/under (4-5 away), and although they can cause problems to the hosts and might take this match to the nail-biting finish, I do anticipate more than 100 points on both ends.
The Raptors are 11-8 against the spread (4-3 home), while they are 8-11 on over/under (4-3 home), and Toronto is scoring 108.80 points on average in the last five home games, so I think they will score close to 110, and that should be enough for OVER.
My Pick: Pass
Total: Over 206 points (-110)
