Toronto Raptors vs Charlotte Hornets Expert NBA Picks 1/8/2020

Game: Toronto Raptors vs Charlotte Hornets

Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Location: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC

TV: Fox Sports Southeast - Charlotte

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -3

Total/Over-Under: 208.5

Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors (24-12, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) travel to Spectrum Center on Wednesday where they'll take on the Charlotte Hornets (15-24, 3rd in the Southeast Division). Toronto opens this matchup as 3 point favorites. The total has been set at 208.5.

The Raptors cover the spread 58.3% of the time, having gone 21-15-0 ATS. Charlotte is covering 48.7% of the time, going 19-20-0 against the spread.

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/19/19 C Marc Gasol Hamstring is out indefinitely
12/19/19 SF Norman Powell Shoulder is out indefinitely
12/19/19 PF Pascal Siakam Groin is out indefinitely
01/06/20 PG Fred VanVleet Hamstring is downgraded to doubtful Tuesday vs Portland

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

01/06/20 PF Marvin Williams Nose is out Monday vs Indiana

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry comes into this game averaging 20.9 points per contest while playing 38.3 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 7.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is 87%. Serge Ibaka averages 14.5 points per contest in 25.6 minutes per game. He averages 1.2 assists per game and 8.2 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

Terry Rozier scores 18.0 points per contest while playing 33.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.4 rebounds per contest and has 4.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Devonte' Graham averages 19.1 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 35.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.8 rebounds per game and has 7.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 110.8 points per contest, which is 15th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 5.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 20th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They average 46.1 boards per contest and 24.8 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 17th with 14.9 per game. The Raptors allow 105.2 points per contest, which is 3rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 47.1 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they allow 24.9 assists per game which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 16.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 29th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 28th in the NBA with 104.4 points per contest this season. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -6.56. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 16th in the league. They are 26th in the NBA in rebounding with 42.8 boards per contest and 16th in assists per game with 23.8. The Hornets are 16th in turnovers per contest with 14.9. The Hornets give up 111.0 points per game, which ranks them 16th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 28th and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 27.0 dimes allowed per game and 19th with 46.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Hornets are 16th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 104.1, and their offensive rating of 109.6 is ranked 2nd. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 100.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 17th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA. Toronto is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 11th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 3rd in the NBA. The Hornets are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 113.5, and their offensive rating of 106.7 is ranked 28th. They are 30th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 8th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Charlotte +3

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