After getting blown out by the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, the Toronto Raptors will continue their homestand on Monday evening against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets are currently on a four-game losing streak, with their last win against the Raptors on Dec. 8. Both teams will seek to return to the win column in this matchup.
Bet on Hornets vs. Raptors
CHA +11
TOR -11
Let’s look at the betting odds via bet365 on both teams for this upcoming matchup.
Hornets vs. Raptors odds
| Hornets Moneyline Odds | +400 |
| Raptors Moneyline Odds | -550 |
| Over/Under | 225 points (over -110, under -110) |
| Spread | Raptors -11 (-110) |
| Time/Date | Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN4/5 Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?) |
All odds courtesy of 
About the Hornets (7-17 SU, 10-14 ATS, 14-10 o/u)
Fresh off a demoralizing 135-82 blowout loss to the 76ers, the Hornets find themselves dealing with a challenging stretch. The defeat was exacerbated by the absence of key contributors, with notable names such as Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, and LaMelo Ball sidelined due to injuries. The depleted roster undoubtedly posed a significant hurdle for the Hornets, and the collective struggle was palpable as the team endured a game to forget. In particular, individual performances from key players like Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges fell below expectations, with both unable to breach double digits in scoring.
In their recent clash with Toronto earlier this month, the Hornets showcased an impressive offensive performance, with four players, including Rozier, Bridges, Hayward, and the second overall pick Brandon Miller, all surpassing the 20-point mark. Notably, Rozier exploited the Raptors’ defensive vulnerabilities by recording an impressive 13 assists, taking advantage of Toronto’s susceptibility in conceding the eighth-most assists to point guards. Looking ahead, the Raptors’ defensive shortcomings, particularly in yielding the seventh-most points to small forwards, present a promising opportunity for Miller and Hayward to capitalize on scoring.
About the Raptors (10-15 SU, 12-13 ATS, 13-12 o/u)
In a disappointing turn of events for the Raptors, their encounter with the Hawks on the second consecutive day proved to be one they’d rather forget. Trae Young showcased his prowess by delivering a stunning performance, particularly in the crucial moments of the game. Young’s remarkable display featured a 16-point surge in the third quarter, coupled with another 14-point outburst in the fourth, culminating in a game-high 38 points. Not to be overshadowed, Young also demonstrated his playmaking ability with an impressive tally of 11 assists. The sharpshooter managed to sink an impressive seven three-pointers, leaving the Raptors scrambling to contain his offensive onslaught.
While the Raptors faced a challenging night, there were some bright spots amidst the gloom, notably in the form of the emerging talent, Scottie Barnes. Once again, Barnes showcased his burgeoning skills, contributing 23 points, four rebounds, eight assists, a steal, and two blocks on an efficient 60% shooting from the field. However, beyond the standout efforts of Barnes and a solid showing from Jakob Poeltl, who notched 15 points and eight rebounds with flawless shooting, the Raptors struggled to find consistent contributors. Pascal Siakam’s 15-point outing, coupled with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals, offered a commendable effort but fell short of turning the tide for Toronto in what proved to be a challenging contest. As the Raptors regroup, they will undoubtedly reflect on this game as one that demands improvement and adjustments as they look ahead to future matchups.
Anticipating Monday’s matchup with the Hornets, both squads clashed just 10 days ago, leaving a lasting impression. In that recent encounter, Scottie stole the spotlight with a sensational 31-point triple-double, showcasing his versatility with two steals and a block, all while shooting an impressive 66.7% from the field on 12-of-18 attempts. Meanwhile, Siakam made a significant offensive contribution, posting 25 points with remarkable efficiency, connecting on 73.3% of his shots, providing a glimpse of the offensive firepower the Raptors possess.
As the Hornets gear up to face the Raptors once again, a strategic analysis reveals vulnerabilities in their defence, particularly against specific positions. Notably, Charlotte surrenders the sixth-highest points to shooting guards, the third-highest to power forwards, and the fourth-highest to centres. These defensive weaknesses were glaringly evident in their previous matchup against Toronto, suggesting potential opportunities for the Raptors to exploit. Drawing inspiration from recent games, the Hornets faced formidable opponents, with Joel Embiid delivering an outstanding performance with 42 points and 15 rebounds in just 29 minutes during their last game against the Philadelphia 76ers. In the preceding matchup, the trio of Jonas Valanciunas, Zion Williamson, and CJ McCollum scored 29, 21, and 19 points, respectively.
Scottie Barnes over 1.5 threes made
-165
Injury concerns
- Ball (ankle) has been ruled out.
- Rozier is probable with a left thumb sprain.
- Mark Williams (back) is doubtful.
- Washington (shoulder) is questionable.
- Hayward (illness) is questionable.
- Cody Martin (knee) has been ruled out.
- Christian Koloko (illness) won’t play.
Betting trends
- The teams played over the 223-point total (119-116 Hornets victory) when they clashed earlier this month.
- The teams have played over the total in four of the past meetings.
- The Raptors are 5-0 SU in their past five home games against Charlotte.
Player prop trends
- Scottie has recorded over 21.5 points in five of his last seven games. He’s averaging 20.2 points per game this season. Previously against the Hornets, he scored a season-high 31 points. His line is -110 to score over 21.5 points.
- Siakam has dished under 5.5 assists in six of his last eight games. He’s averaging five assists per game this season. Last time out against the Hornets, he only dished out four assists. His line is -135 to dish under 5.5 assists.
- Scottie has two or more threes in five of his last six games, including three triples against the Hornets earlier this month. His line is -165 to make over 1.5 threes.
Wagers to consider
- SGP – Spread: Raptors -11 and Barnes to score over 21.5 points: +190. With the Hornets’ injuries, the Raptors should have no trouble covering the double-digit spread. Scottie is also in a good position to score over 21.5 points and has done it before against the Hornets.
- Over 225 total points: -110. The Hornets are severely injured and may be missing multiple key players which means there is blowout potential. The Hornets also give up the fifth-most points to the opposition per game.
