Free NBA Pick: Raptors vs. Hornets NBA Odds
Looking for Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Raptors taking on the Hornets on Friday, February 25th, 2022 at Spectrum Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Raptors-Hornets matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(32-25) Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets (29-31)
Date: Friday, February 25th
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Spectrum Center
NBA Moneyline Odds: Raptors -123 | Hornets +125 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors -2.5
NBA Betting Total: 226
Friday, February 25th the Toronto Raptors play the Charlotte Hornets for the third and final time this season. Toronto won both prior meetings on January 25th (125-113) and February 7th (116-101).
Charlotte’s last match prior to the break was a double-overtime loss (107-111) to Miami while the Raptors defeated the Wolves 103-91.
Last season, the squads played three times with Toronto winning two of the three contests. The Hornets hold the all-time record having bested the Raptors in 46 of their 88 matches.
Toronto Raptors
The remaining schedule for the Raptors comes with pluses and minuses. Although they have the seventh easiest strength of schedule remaining it’s a bit misleading because they need to make up the COVID postponed games.
On the positive side of the equation, all the teams currently seeded ahead of them have a more difficult set of opponents in terms of their win/loss records. In fact, only three Eastern teams have an easier closing schedule (Hawks, Wizards, Pacers).
Conversely, having to make up the two games means Toronto has the most games left to play (25), with six back-to-back sets, and five rest disadvantages also the most (Wizards and Suns match the latter two marks respectively).
They get hit right out of the gate with three consecutive back-to-back sets occurring over eight days getting a single day off between each set. They’ll open versus the Hornets/Hawks followed by a home-and-home series versus the Nets and finish versus the Pistons and Magic.
After another single day off they face the Cavaliers which will be their seventh game in 10 days.
At least they had the week off prior to this crazy seven-game segment and the middle set against Brooklyn finds the Nets in a similar situation also playing Saturday (Bucks) prior to facing Toronto.
Kevin Durant is expected back possibly Saturday but it’s unlikely they’ll want him playing three games in four nights as soon as he returns and Kyrie Irving won’t be able to play in either match given the COVID protocols plus there is the uncertainty of when Simmons debuts.
Fred VanVleet (knee) is probable after missing the last match before the break but played in the All-Star game so presumably is good to go.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets sit in the ninth seed in a virtual tie with the Hawks and 2.5 games back of the Nets (4.5 of the Raptors). They have the 11th easiest schedule remaining playing 12 top eight seeds and 10 teams seeded ninth or lower.
Although they play only nine games on the road and have six rest advantages even matches against the lower seeds are predominantly against clubs trying to cement a berth in the play-in tournament.
Specifically, the Wizards, Spurs, and two games each against the Pelicans and Knicks plus face the 10th seeded Hawks.
Cody Martin (foot) was upgraded to probable, Jalen McDaniels (ankle) was downgraded to doubtful, and Nick Richards (foot) is also doubtful to play versus the Raptors on Friday. Gordon Hayward (ankle) is out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Toronto is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games.
- Charlotte is 1-9 SU in their last 10 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto’s last 6 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Charlotte’s last 10 games
Free Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets NBA Prediction:
Both clubs will want to get out to a strong start post-break with Toronto specifically knowing this segment is crucial for them to maintain a lead over the Nets and ideally move up to a guaranteed playoff berth.
Toronto easily won both prior matches but the Hornets made roster tweaks since they last met. Keep an eye on Pascal Siakam who arguably should’ve got the nod for the All-Star replacement spot that went to LaMelo Ball.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors ATS
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