The Toronto Raptors' attempted tankathon is coming down the final stretch, with tonight’s game being their final home game of the season.
And, of course, it’s another tank-off with the Charlotte Hornets in town. That means Toronto is a big 9-point favorite for this matchup. However, it can still be hard to know who’ll be on the court for the Raps. What we do know is they will play good defense.
My Hornets vs. Raptors predictions lean into that and bring you some NBA picks to go along with it for tonight’s Eastern Conference matchup set to tip off at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto at 7:30 pm ET on Wednesday, April 9.
Raptors vs Hornets prediction
My Raptors pick: Hornets team total Under 104.5 (-120 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
The Toronto Raptors tried to tank. They just weren’t very good at it.
Despite having guys coming on and off the injury report and pulling impact players in close games, the Raptors just won too often in the second half of the season.
They've been a .500 basketball team since the All-Star break. Now, some of that has to do with a ridiculously easy second-half schedule.
But the other part is, reportedly, the vibes around this team are too good, and they are taking well to Darko Rajakovic’s coaching. And it has really shown at the defensive end of the floor because the Raps have been getting after it no matter who has been on the court.
Toronto leads the NBA in defensive rating since the break while ranking fifth in opponent field goal percentage and ninth in scoring defense, allowing 112.1 points per game during this period.
That includes a matchup against tonight’s opponent, the Charlotte Hornets, back on March 28.
Without LaMelo Ball, the Hornets are struggling to get buckets, sitting dead last in offensive rating since All-Star weekend.
But the injury list is much more than just Ball being out tonight. He is already joined on the sidelines by Brandon Miller, and the team announced this afternoon that Miles Bridges and Mark Williams will both sit out.
This is a team that has already scored 105 points or fewer in seven of its last nine games and put up just 97 in that March 28 meeting with the Raptors. It looks like eclipsing the team total of 104.5 will be more than difficult. Give me the Under going against this pesky Raptors D.
Raptors vs Hornets same-game parlay
Hornets team total Under 104.5
Jakob Poeltl 15+ points
RJ Barrett Over 4.5 rebounds
Jakob Poeltl sat out the last game, which means he suits up tonight. Despite some lower-scoring performances in his last few games, the Raptors' big man is still averaging 16.7 over his last 10 games, putting up 15 or more seven times over that stretch, including going for 24 the last time he faced the Hornets.
No Mark Williams helps out that leg. It also means Charlotte will be without its best rebounder by a long way. So, let’s round this same game-parlay out with RJ Barrett Over 4.5 rebounds.
It sounds like RJ will suit up in front of the home crowd one last time this season. He averages 6.4 rebounds per game this season and has gone Over 4.5 rebounds in 10 of his last 11 games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Hornets odds
Raptors vs Hornets live odds
Raptors vs Hornets opening odds
- Spread: Toronto -8 | Charlotte +8
- Moneyline: Toronto -270 | Charlotte +340
- Over/Under: Over 215.5| Under 215.5
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Raptors vs Hornets spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors opened this Eastern Conference matchup as 8-point favorites. They climbed to 9.5 on Wednesday morning, and with the Hornets resting a few key players, the spread again moved to 10.5.
- The Raptors have been one of the best bets in the NBA all season at 47-31-1 ATS but have never been favored by double digits this season. That said, the Hornets have been on an ATS skid, going 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games.
- The total has been interesting. It hit the board at 215.5, rose to 220.5 and with the injury updates to the Hornets, it is sitting at 218.5 as of Wednesday afternoon.
- I would lean Under here. The Hornets won't score much at all and the Raptors offense hasn't been much better ranking 26th in rating since the All-Star break.
Raptors vs Hornets trend
The Raptors have hit the Moneyline in 21 of their last 40 games for 14.9 units and a 30% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Hornets.
How to watch Raptors vs Hornets
| Location | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Wednesday, 4-9-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN |
Raptors vs Hornets latest injuries
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