In the aftermath of a punishing defeat by the Golden State Warriors, the Toronto Raptors are preparing for a Sunday evening clash against the Charlotte Hornets, with both teams seeking redemption amid losing streaks and hanging near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Raptors, particularly challenged by Scottie Barnes’ injury, find themselves at a critical point. Positioned four games behind the 10th seed Atlanta Hawks, who are without the services of Trae Young, Toronto faces a dual-pathway ahead: either claw their way into the play-in tournament by securing the 10th seed or consider the strategic option of tanking. The latter is influenced by their current standing as the seventh-worst team in the league and the need to drop to sixth or below to retain their first-round draft pick, a stipulation stemming from the Jakob Poeltl trade with the San Antonio Spurs. This scenario underscores the high stakes and complex choices confronting the Raptors as they navigate the remainder of the season.
Let’s look at the betting odds on both teams for this upcoming matchup.
Bet on Hornets vs. Raptors
CHA +8.0
TOR -8.0
Hornets vs. Raptors odds
| Hornets Moneyline Odds | +300 |
| Raptors Moneyline Odds | -380 |
| Over/Under | 225.5 points (over -110, under -110) |
| Spread | Raptors -8.0 (-110) |
| Time/Date | March 3rd, 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN1/4 Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?) |
All odds courtesy of 
About the Raptors (22-38 SU, 28-31-1 ATS, 31-29 o/u)
Heading into halftime with a 3-point advantage, the complexion of the game took a dramatic turn when the Raptors announced that Scottie would be sidelined for the remainder of the match due to a hand injury. Scottie’s absence was keenly felt, and the Warriors capitalized on this, turning the game on its head to secure a victory without facing further resistance from the injured star.
RJ Barrett emerged as the beacon of hope for the Raptors, leading the scoring charge with an impressive 23 points, hitting 9 of his 15 attempts from the field and maintaining a 50% success rate from beyond the arc. Kelly Olynyk showcased his versatility and contributed significantly with a double-double, amassing 16 points and 10 rebounds, in addition to dishing out 3 assists and nabbing 3 steals. Jakob Poeltl also made his presence felt under the boards, securing a double-double of his own with 10 points and 14 rebounds, fortifying the Raptors’ frontcourt efforts. Despite a challenging shooting night, Immanuel Quickley managed to make a notable impact, rounding off his performance with a double-double, tallying 12 points and 11 assists, demonstrating resilience and the ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game.
The Raptors find themselves in an advantageous position against the Charlotte Hornets, thanks to the latter’s defensive shortcomings that Toronto is well-equipped to exploit. The Hornets’ defence, notably lenient towards point guards by allowing the fourth-most assists in the league, presents a golden opportunity for Quickley to leverage his playmaking skills. Meanwhile, Barrett is set up for a successful scoring night, given the Hornets’ difficulty in containing small forwards, highlighted by their ranking for allowing the fifth-most points to players at this position. With Scottie Barnes sidelined, the power forward position becomes a strategic pivot point for the Raptors, with Olynyk or Chris Boucher poised to capitalize on the Hornets’ defensive lapses, which include being the most permissive in assists and third in rebounds to power forwards. Additionally, the Hornets’ vulnerability against centers, conceding the third-most points and second-most rebounds, suggests Poeltl could be in for a significant impact.
About the Hornets (15-45 SU, 23-35-2 ATS, 29-31 o/u)
Following their fourth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Hornets are set to take on the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. In their recent loss to the 76ers, Miles Bridges led the Hornets with a commendable performance, securing a team-high 27 points alongside 11 rebounds, marking a double-double. Nick Richards also made a notable contribution with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
As they prepare for their encounter with the Raptors, the Hornets are presented with several strategic opportunities to exploit their opponent’s defensive vulnerabilities. The Raptors have notably struggled to contain point guards, often surrendering a high number of assists, which should allow Tre Mann to shine by orchestrating the Hornets’ offence and exploiting these gaps. Furthermore, the Raptors have been particularly generous to small forwards, conceding the highest number of points in the league to players in this position. This weakness offers an excellent platform for Cody Martin to showcase his scoring talent, potentially giving the Hornets a much-needed edge in this matchup.
RJ Barrett (TOR) over 21.5 points
-125
Injury Concerns
- Scottie suffered a fracture to the third metacarpal bone of his left hand in Friday’s loss to the Warriors and is considered out indefinitely
- Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Raptors.
- Miller (back) is probable for Sunday’s game against the Raptors.
- Williams (back) won’t play in Sunday’s game versus the Raptors.
Betting Trends
- The Raptors have hit the over in their last 3 out of 5 games.
- The Hornets have hit the under in their last 4 out of 5 games.
Player Prop Trends
- RJ Barrett has scored over 21.5 points in his last 3 games coming off an injury. He is averaging 20.7 points for the season as a Raptor and he will have more touches as Scottie is ruled out. His line is at -120 to score over 21.5 points against the Hornets.
- Miles Bridges has grabbed over 8.5 rebounds in the last 5 out of 6 games. He is averaging 7.5 rebounds for the season. His line is at -115 to grab over 8.5 rebounds against the Raptors.
- Barrett has made over 1.5 threes in his last 3 games. He is shooting 40.9% from three as a Raptor. His line is at +120 to make over 1.5 threes.
Wagers to Consider
- RJ Barrett over 21.5 points; Immanuel Quickley over 6.5 assists: +250. Hornets allow a lot of points against small forwards and a lot of assists against point guards which put Barrett and Quickley in a good spot.
- Over 225.5 Total Points: -110. This game should be a high-scoring game with defense being non-existent between both teams.
