The Toronto Raptors injury report is reaching an extinction level, with Scottie Barnes being the latest name added to the list.
It’s gotten so bad that the Raps are sizeable underdogs against the Charlotte Hornets. But my Raptors vs. Hornets predictions look at why Toronto could have some value as a dog thanks to their veteran big man Jakob Poeltl.
Here are my NBA picks for this Eastern Conference matchup on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Raptors vs Hornets prediction
My best bet
Jakob Poeltl 15+ Points (+120 at PointsBet)
My analysis
The Toronto Raptors announced on Wednesday that franchise player Scottie Barnes will be reevaluated in three weeks after suffering an orbital fracture in the team's last game against the Denver Nuggets.
Barnes joins Immanuel Quickley, Kelly Olynyk, and Bruce Brown on the injured list and, as a result, the Raps are 6.5-point road underdogs for tonight’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.
LaMelo Ball and the Hornets have dropped two in a row following a season-opening win over the Houston Rockets. But Charlotte is dealing with its own injury issues, as Brandon Miller and Mark Williams are both out for this matchup.
Now, Nick Richards has played well in Williams’ absence, but I like this matchup for Raps big Jakob Poeltl.
The 29-year-old doesn’t just bring a veteran voice to this young Raps roster, he is also averaging 12.3 points and 11.8 rebounds through four games this season. That includes putting up a great battle against the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, going for 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting while hauling down 19 rebounds.
Tonight, Poeltl will face a Hornets team that doesn’t have much big-man depth behind Richards and ranks 12 in opponent points in the paint. They got cooked by the Rockets' Alperen Sengun for 25 points in their first game of the season while the Heat’s Bam Adebayo put up 12 despite shooting just 35.3% from the floor last time out.
Poeltl is one of the Raptors' most reliable scoring options considering all of the injury issues they are dealing with and is skilled enough to take advantage of this matchup with Richards. He’s topped 16 points in two of his last three games, and with our Covers Prop Projections setting Poeltl at 14.4 points I’m taking his alt point prop at 15+ at solid plus money.
Raptors vs Hornets same-game parlay (SGP)
Jakob Poeltl 15+ points
Jakob Poeltl 10+ rebounds
Davion Mitchell Over 9.5 points
Let’s also add Poeltl to grab 10+ rebounds. He’s hauled down at least nine boards in all four of the Raptors' games this season and is playing a Hornets team that ranks sixth in field-goal attempts per 100 possessions while ranking 21st in effective field-goal percentage. So, there should be plenty of boards up for grabs.
Another Raptors player has seen and will continue to see added opportunities due to the team’s injuries is guard Davion Mitchell.
The former Sacramento King was inserted into the starting lineup following Quickley’s injury, and with IQ and Barnes both out tonight, there are some shots up for grabs.
Mitchell’s usage with the Kings dipped the last two seasons, but he is coming off the best shooting season of his career with a .540 eFG% while shooting 36.1% from 3-point range. He showed that ability in the Raptors loss to the Nuggets, going 5-for-10 from the field for 16 points, including 3-for-6 from three.
The Hornets have allowed 42, 56, and 41 points to opposing starting guards over their first three games. I like Mitchell’s chances of going Over 9.5 points tonight.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Raptors vs Hornets odds
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Raptors vs Hornets opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +6.5 | Charlotte -6.5
- Moneyline: Toronto +220 | Charlotte -270
- Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Raptors vs Hornets spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors opened as 6.5-point road underdogs and that's where the line sits as of Wednesday afternoon.
- The Hornets' LaMelo Ball will be the best player on the court in this matchup, and with Charlotte playing at home I understand why the spread is what it is. That said, the Hornets still aren't a great team and are missing two key players.
- The total hit the board at 226.5 and early bettors have hit the Under, moving the number to 225.
- I lean against the early money here. Bettors seem to be fading the fact that Barnes is out, but he's been inefficient so far this season. Mix in two teams in the bottom third of the NBA in terms of defensive rating and I like the chance this one goes Over.
Raptors vs Hornets trend
The Raptors have hit the Game Total Over in 26 of their last 40 away games for +10.60 Units and a 24% ROI, including 3-1 O/U this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Hornets.
Raptors vs Hornets game info
| Location: | Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC |
| Date: | Wednesday, 10-30-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet |
Raptors vs Hornets latest injuries
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