Charlotte Hornets Vs. Toronto Raptors: Predictions, Starting Lineups (12/18/23)
Which team will break out of their slump in hopes of turning things around? Take a look at the Charlotte Hornets vs. Toronto Raptors matchup preview, predictions, and best bets, which are all available below!
Charlotte Hornets Vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction
It has not been the season that either of these teams could have hoped for but, then again, what more could they have expected?
The Charlotte Hornets have dropped six of their past seven games and actually have a higher winning percentage without Miles Bridges than with him so far this season. Further, Charlotte took a 53-point beatdown at the hands of the Sixers just two days ago; it has been tough sledding for this team, to say the least, especially with the pile-up of injuries. LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams, Frank Ntilikina, Miles Bridges, and Cody Martin are all out right now, including for this game.
Toronto has been in a similar boat recently, losing five of its past six games, with three of those losses coming at home and one loss coming to none other than the Hornets. However, the circumstances were much, much different in the Raptors’ last game against Charlotte than this one.
How can we possibly back Charlotte in this spot, with the Hornets missing five of their top seven scorers? However, there’s not much to feel good about with the Raptors either. Our very slight lean would be in Toronto’s favor, but we don’t love laying close to 13 points on a sub.500 team.
Our recommendation here is going to be to back Brandon Miller’s made three-pointers; his volume is going to be significant and the Raptors have not been good defending the perimeter so far this season.
Charlotte Hornets Vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction: Raptors -12.5 (-110)
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Charlotte Hornets Vs. Toronto Raptors Best Odds
The Charlotte Hornets are massive 12.5-point road underdogs against the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. Charlotte holds +525 Moneyline odds, while Toronto’s odds are at -750, which is surprisingly favorable considering it currently sits in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. The Over/Under is at 224 points for this matchup, with -110 odds on both sides.
Charlotte Hornets Starting Lineup
PG: Terry Rozier
SG: Brandon Miller
SF: Bryce McGowens
PF: P.J. Washington
C: Nick Richards
Toronto Raptors Starting Lineup
PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: O.G. Anunoby
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Jakob Poeltl
Charlotte Hornets Vs. Toronto Raptors Injuries
Toronto has a near-clean bill of health, with Christian Koloko (illness) being the only player currently listed as out. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets are missing a wide array of very important players, including LaMelo Ball (ankle), Gordon Hayward (stomach), Mark Williams (back), Cody Martin (knee), Miles Bridges (personal), and Frank Ntilikina (leg).
Charlotte Hornets Vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Picks
Volume is the name of the game when it comes to player props, and Brandon Miller should get a lot of that, with Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin, LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, and Frank Ntilikina all set to miss this game. Charlotte has to find points somewhere, and the most likely source will be from Miller and Terry Rozier.
Miller has hit at least three three-pointers in four of his past six games, and the volume has been promising. Additionally, Toronto has allowed the ninth-most three-pointers to opposing shooting guards this season and ranks 26th in opponent 3P% (38.2%.) Further, Toronto has allowed its past three opponents to shoot an astonishing 46% from deep.
This is the kind of situation that is perfect for Miller and his betting backers: he will be forced to shoot a lot against a team that has not been defending the perimeter well recently.
Brandon Miller Over 2.5 Three-Pointers (+110)
