The Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets both play their third game in four nights tonight in downtown Toronto. The Raptors open as 9.5-point favorites with the total at 224.5. Canada’s NBA team is a perfect 3-0 on the year with two double-digit victories. The Hornets have covered the spread in each of their first three games, twice as the underdog.
- The total has gone OVER in four of the Hornets’ last five games vs the Raptors (avg. combined score: 224.4).
- The Hornets are 11-41 SU in their last 52 games as road underdogs.
- Toronto is 5-14 ATS in its last 19 games when playing at home against Charlotte.
Hornets vs Raptors Game Center
Statistically Similar Teams
Through the first three games of the season, Charlotte and Toronto are very statistically similar clubs at first glance. Toronto is scoring 115.3 points per game and the Hornets are putting up 115.0 per game, good for 11th and 12th in the Association respectively.
When it comes to opposition scoring, both teams are in the top seven as Charlotte is giving up 104.3 points per game (fourth) to Toronto’s 106.0 (seventh). Toronto is slightly ahead in rebounds per game with 48 compared to Charlotte’s 45.3. Toronto is above the league average in both offensive and defensive rebounds. Charlotte is below the league average, but just barely.
Hornets Lead NBA in Three-Pointers
With the total at 224.5, the OVER/UNDER will hinge on the shooting ability of the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte is hitting 16.33 three-pointers per game on the back of Kemba Walker’s 6.3 baskets from beyond the arc and .500 three-point percentage. As a team, the Hornets are 41.5 percent from three-point land.
Toronto has kept opponents to 11.33 three-pointers per game and a 36.2 percent three-point average, but Cleveland, Boston and Washington aren’t known for their three-point shooting so far this season, all below the league average.
My Pick for Tonight
I’m taking the Hornets +9.5 in this game. Charlotte has covered the spread in its last five games as a dog of 9.5 points or higher. This run includes two games vs Golden State and one game as a +8.5 dog in Toronto in March.
The Raptors are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six games as a favorite of 8 points or more and with both teams playing their third game in the last four nights, I expect explosiveness to be at a minimum on this Monday night.
