Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/20/2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

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The Toronto Raptors travel to Spectrum Center to play the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 1 point favorites.

The Raptors head into this matchup with a mark of 20-8. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 8.4 as they are averaging 110.9 points per contest while giving up 102.5 per game. The Hornets have an overall mark of 11-19. They currently are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 104.2 points per contest and giving up 105.7, which is a point differential of -1.5.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 16-12-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 13-15-0 against the over/under

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 12-16-2 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 12-17-1 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/17/17 F Serge Ibaka Knee is "?" Wednesday vs Charlotte

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/07/17 F Cody Zeller Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

DeMar DeRozan comes into this contest averaging 23.9 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Raptors. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 80%. Kyle Lowry averages 16 points per game in 33 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.2 assists per contest and 6.3 rebounds per game for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Dwight Howard averages 15.9 points per game while playing 30.2 minutes per contest this year for the Hornets. He grabs 12.6 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage currently is at 53%. Kemba Walker averages 21.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 110.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.46 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 42 rebounds per game and 23 assists per game, which ranks them 21st and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 13.8 per game. The Raptors allow 102.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 21.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 17th in the league with 104.2 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -1.47. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 47 boards per game, and 27th in assists per contest with 20.4. The Hornets are 27th in turnovers per game with 13.5. The Hornets surrender 105.7 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 22.7 assists allowed per contest and 22nd with 43.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 5th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.4, and their defensive rating of 104.8 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 5th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league. Toronto is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 26th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 21st in the NBA. The Hornets are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 106.1, and their offensive rating of 104.6 is ranked 20th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 30th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Raptors/Hornets NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Charlotte +1

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