Raptors vs Hornets Picks and Predictions: Raps Keep Swatting Hornets

The Toronto Raptors begin a stretch of six games in eight days when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. 

While this is a matchup of two current play-in teams in the Eastern Conference, Toronto has had Charlotte’s number this season, winning the previous two meetings by double-digits. Can the Raps win and cover their third straight against the Hornets, this time as slight road faves?

Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for Raptors vs. Hornets on February 25.

Raptors vs Hornets odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Raptors opened this Eastern Conference clash as 2.5-point road chalk, but the home side has seen the early money, moving the line to Raptors -2. 

This is pretty much in line with the previous two meetings between these teams. The Raptors were 1-point home dogs on Jan. 25 and 2-point road faves on Feb. 7.

Meanwhile, the total hit the board at 226.5 and has been moved down slightly to 226.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Raptors vs Hornets predictions

• Prediction: Raptors -2 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 226 (-110)
• Best bet: Raptors -2 (-110)
• Best bet: Fred VanVleet Over 4.5 Made Threes (+125)

Predictions made on 2/25/2022 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Raptors vs Hornets game info

• Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
• Date: Friday, February 25, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN1, Bally Sports Southeast

Raptors vs Hornets betting preview

Key injuries

Raptors: Fred VanVleet PG (Questionable), OG Anunoby SF (Out).
Hornets: Gordon Hayward SF (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Raptors are 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games while the Hornets are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games a home dog. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Hornets.

Raptors vs Hornets picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

While this is a matchup of two current play-in teams in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors and the Hornets are trending in completely opposite directions. 

The Raptors come out of the break, winners of nine of their last 11 games, and since the calendar has flipped over to 2022, rank eighth in the NBA in net rating. The Hornets, on the other hand, are hoping the break will help them reset after losing nine of their previous 10 games. 

Unfortunately for Buzz City, it just doesn’t match up well with the Raptors. This will be the third time these teams have faced off since the end of January, and despite small spreads for each, the Raptors won both games by double digits.

The real problem for the Hornets is their defense, which ranks 23rd, and their perimeter defense in particular. The Hornets allow the second-most 3-point attempts per game while ranking 22nd in opponent 3-point shooting %.

Meanwhile, basically the entire Raptors starting lineup can get hot from beyond the arc at any given time. In the two previous meetings, the Raptors’ starters have poured in 12 and 15 threes. 

The Hornets obviously have one of the best offenses in the NBA, but they're streaky and haven’t handled the Raptors' pressuring style of defense well so far this season. And not having Gordon Hayward won’t help that. The Raptors should come away with the win and cover here.

Prediction: Raptors -2 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

The total has gotten higher in each of the three matchups, going from 221 to 225.5 to 226 for tonight’s meeting. The first two games went 1-1 O/U, but it was the latter matchup that went Under thanks to the Hornets putting up just 101 points, and we’re thinking we’ll see more of the same in this one.

For starters, that high-flying Hornets offense has come back down to Earth over the last month or so. Charlotte ranks 21st in scoring (108 points per game) and dead last in the NBA in field goal percentage over this 10-game skid where they have gone 1-9. 

This matchup against the Raptors isn’t a good spot to try and get right. Over the last 11 games, where the Raps are 9-2 SU, they rank sixth in defensive rating, and ninth in opponent scoring giving up 109 points per game and are allowing opponents to shoot just 32.8% from 3-point range over that stretch.

And while the Hornets play at a high tempo, the Raptors love to force you to slow down and play at their pace. This one should sneak Under the number. 

Prediction: Under 226 (-110)

Best bets

For starters, the Raptors will want to start this tough stretch they are entering with a win. So, despite the time off, expect them to be focused heading into this game. So, Raps -2 makes the list as one of our best bets, but we’re not stopping there.

We want to take advantage of the Hornets’ struggles defending the three. And who better to look at than Raptors All-Star Fred VanVleet. 

Now, VanVleet is nursing a knee injury, but it sounds like he is trending towards suiting up in this one and that’s a problem for the Hornets. One of the reasons VanVleet was selected for his first All-Star game was because he is shooting a ridiculous 40.1 % from deep on a massive 10.0 3-point attempts per game.

That includes draining six threes against the Hornets back in that Feb. 7 meeting. He’s gone Over this number in four of his last five games. He’s a solid bet to make it five of six, especially at this value.

Pick: Raptors -2 (-110)

Pick: Fred VanVleet Over 4.5 Made Threes (+125)

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