Charlotte Hornets at Toronto Raptors NBA Picks & Predictions 3/4/2018

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Air Canada Centre

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Charlotte Hornets head to Air Canada Centre to take on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, March 4, 2018. The opening line for this game has Toronto as 9 point favorites.

The Hornets come into this game with an overall record of 28-35. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.1 as they are averaging 106.6 points per game while giving up 106.7 per contest. The Raptors have an overall mark of 44-17. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 112.1 points per contest and giving up 103.4, which is a point differential of 8.7.

Valuable Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 26-33-4 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 30-31-2 against the over/under

Important Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 35-26-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 31-29-1 against the over/under

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

03/02/18 F Cody Zeller Knee is "?" Sunday vs Toronto

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

03/02/18 F OG Anunoby Ankle is "?" Sunday vs Charlotte

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker comes into this game averaging 23.2 points per contest while playing 34.8 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 3.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 85%. Dwight Howard averages 15.7 points per contest in 30.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.4 assists per game and 12.3 rebounds per contest for Charlotte. His field goal percentage is 55% for the season while his free throw percentage is 55%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry has scored 16.5 points per contest while playing 32.1 minutes per game this season for the Raptors. He hauls in 5.7 rebounds per contest and has 6.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. DeMar DeRozan averages 23.7 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 34 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.9 rebounds per game and 5.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte averages 106.6 points per contest this year, which is 14th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.17 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 26th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They average 45.3 boards per contest and 21.4 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 28th with 12.7 per game. The Hornets allow 106.7 points per contest which is 16th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 27th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.3 rebounds a game which ranks 18th, and they allow 24.2 assists per game which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 4th in the NBA with 112.1 points per contest this season. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 8.69. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 21st in the league. They are 17th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.4 boards per contest and 8th in assists per game with 23.7. The Raptors are 27th in turnovers per contest with 13.2. The Raptors give up 103.4 points per game, which ranks them 6th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 5th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 22 dimes allowed per game and 15th with 42.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Raptors are 26th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Hornets are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 108.3, and their offensive rating of 108.1 is ranked 17th. They are 10th in the NBA in pace with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA. Charlotte is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 8th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 27th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 27th in the NBA. The Raptors are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 105.1, and their offensive rating of 113.9 is ranked 28th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Charlotte +9

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