Hornets vs Raptors Prediction NBA Picks Experts 4/2

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Game Preview: Raptors vs Hornets - NBA Picks, Expert Predictions, and Odds

The Toronto Raptors (38-39, ninth in the Eastern Conference) visit the Charlotte Hornets (26-52, 14th in the Eastern Conference) on Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT. With the Raptors looking to end their five-game road losing streak, and the Hornets struggling against opponents with a winning record (14-30), this promises to be an exciting matchup. The Raptors have been strong defensively, allowing just 111.7 points while holding opponents to 49.1% shooting. They've gone 23-24 against Eastern Conference opponents and currently sit fourth in the conference. On the other hand, the Hornets, led by rookie sensation LaMelo Ball, have struggled on both ends of the court. Ball is averaging 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 8.4 assists for the Hornets, while P.J. Washington is averaging 18.6 points over the last 10 games for Charlotte. According to NBA picks experts and computer models, the Raptors are the favorites to win this game with a spread of -4.5. However, the Hornets have been performing better in recent games, going 4-6 in their last 10 games, while the Raptors have gone 6-4 in the same span. With injuries affecting both teams, this game could go either way. With NBA picks and parlays, expert predictions, and odds all favoring the Raptors, it remains to be seen if the Hornets can pull off the upset. Catch all the action live on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT.

Raptors: Offensive Analysis

The Toronto Raptors have had a rollercoaster of a season, currently sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 38-39. However, they have shown signs of offensive brilliance in recent games, with an average of 116.0 points per game in their last 10 games. Let's take a closer look at their offensive performance with the help of data from Sportradar. The Raptors rank 23rd in the league in points per game with an average of 112.9, which is not impressive on the surface. However, they have been improving their scoring output, averaging 116.0 points per game over their last 10 games. This shows a positive trend and suggests that they are finding their offensive rhythm. Toronto is also efficient in the fastbreak game, ranking third in the league with an average of 17.7 fastbreak points per game. This is an area where they can take advantage of the Hornets, who rank 24th in the league for giving up fastbreak points. While the Raptors struggle with assists per game, ranking 24th in the league with an average of 23.7, they do have a good Assist/Turnover ratio of 2.002. This ranks third in the league and highlights the Raptors' ability to take care of the ball and make smart plays. The Raptors also excel in the rebounding game, ranking 19th in the league with an average of 50.9 total rebounds per game. This can be a critical factor in securing extra possessions and creating more scoring opportunities. In terms of shooting, the Raptors have struggled from beyond the arc, ranking 28th in the league with a three-point percentage of 33.7%. However, they are good at defending the three, holding opponents to a 37.5% three-point percentage, which ranks 27th in the league. Overall, the Raptors have shown improvement in their offensive game, and their recent performance suggests that they can put up solid numbers against the Hornets. While they have some weaknesses in their offense, they also have strengths that they can leverage to their advantage. NBA picks experts and NBA picks computers are favoring the Raptors in this matchup, and they have a good chance of coming out on top with their strong offensive showing.

Raptors: Defensive Analysis

The Toronto Raptors are going into their game against the Charlotte Hornets looking to end their five-game road losing streak. One of the key factors for their success in this game will be their defense, which has been a strong point for them this season. Currently, the Raptors are ranked fifth in the league for opponent points per game, allowing just 111.7 points. They are also fourth in the Eastern Conference for points allowed, which is impressive considering they are ranked 23rd in the league for points per game on the offensive end. Their defense also excels in holding opponents to a low shooting percentage, with a 49.1% shooting percentage allowed. This puts them in the top 10 in the league for opponent field goal percentage. The Raptors also have a strong presence in the paint, holding opponents to just 49.3 points per game. They are also ranked third in the league for fastbreak points per game allowed, with just 15.1 points. Their defense is boosted by their ability to block shots and generate steals. The Raptors average 5.2 blocks per game, putting them in seventh place in the league. They also lead the league in steals per game with 9.4. Overall, the Raptors have a strong defensive line that can hold opponents to low-scoring games. This will be especially important in their game against the Hornets, as they will need to contain the likes of LaMelo Ball and P.J. Washington, who have been top performers for Charlotte recently. When making NBA picks, experts and computer predictions often favor teams with strong defensive capabilities, which could give the Raptors an edge in this game. Ultimately, their defense will be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of this game.

Hornets: Offense Analysis

The Hornets are struggling on the offensive end, ranking 27th in the league in points per game with an average of 111.2. They are also last in the league in effective field goal percentage, shooting just 51.5%. This could make it difficult for them to keep up with the Raptors, who have a solid defense and are allowing just 111.7 points per game. Charlotte's leading scorer LaMelo Ball is out for the season due to an ankle injury, leaving scoring duties to P.J. Washington who is averaging 18.6 points over the last 10 games. However, the team as a whole has struggled to find consistent scoring options. On the bright side, the Hornets have been efficient in the paint with an average of 53.5 points per game and have also been a threat in transition with an average of 15.4 fastbreak points per game, ranking 6th in the league. The Raptors have the edge in this matchup when it comes to offensive statistics, ranking 23rd in the league in points per game with an average of 112.9, and shooting a higher percentage from the field than the Hornets. Toronto also has a strong defense, holding opponents to just 49.1% shooting. Overall, the offense may be a struggle for the Hornets in this matchup, especially with the absence of Ball. It will be important for them to focus on scoring efficiency and finding ways to capitalize on transition opportunities. However, the Raptors may have the upper hand on the offensive end.

Hornets: Defensive Analysis

The Charlotte Hornets have struggled defensively this season, ranking 22nd in the league in points allowed per game and 21st in opponent points in the paint per game. However, they have been stronger in other areas such as fastbreak points and blocks, where they rank 6th and 10th in the league, respectively. One key defensive player for the Hornets is P.J. Washington, who has been averaging 1.3 blocks and 0.9 steals per game. His versatility and athleticism allow him to guard multiple positions effectively. However, the Hornets will be without their defensive anchor, Gordon Hayward, who is day-to-day with an ankle injury. The Raptors, on the other hand, have been solid defensively this season, ranking 5th in points allowed per game and holding opponents to just 49.1% shooting, which ranks 4th in the league. Their defense is anchored by Pascal Siakam, who has been averaging 0.7 blocks and 0.9 steals per game. The Hornets will need to be careful with their turnovers, as they rank 15th in the league in turnovers per game. The Raptors have been strong at forcing turnovers, ranking 2nd in the league in opponent turnovers per game. Overall, the Hornets will need to step up their defensive effort if they hope to end their losing streak against the Raptors. The absence of Hayward will make it tougher for them, but players like Washington will need to step up and make their mark on the defensive end.

Injury Report

The Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets have several players dealing with injuries heading into their matchup on April 2nd, 2023. For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball is out for the season with an ankle injury, while Gordon Hayward is day-to-day with an ankle injury. Kelly Oubre Jr. is also day-to-day with a shoulder injury, while Terry Rozier is out with a foot injury. Cody Martin is out with a knee injury, and Dennis Smith Jr. is day-to-day with a toe injury. For the Raptors, Dalano Banton is day-to-day with a thumb injury, while Otto Porter Jr. is out for the season with a foot injury. Gary Trent Jr. is day-to-day with an elbow injury, and Will Barton is day-to-day with an ankle injury. Both teams will need to rely on their depth to overcome these injuries and come out with a win. As always, injuries can have a significant impact on the outcome of NBA picks and predictions, so keep an eye on these players' statuses as they get closer to game time. Sorry, as an AI language model, I cannot provide tables through plain text. However, I can help you with the HTML code to create a table for the given injury report. Here's an example: ```

Betting Trends Analysis:

The Toronto Raptors travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets on Sunday in a game that could have playoff implications for the Raptors. As of now, the Raptors are ninth in the Eastern Conference standings and need to climb to at least eighth to make it to the playoffs. Here is a look at some of the betting trends for both teams ahead of this matchup. The Raptors have gone 23-24 against Eastern Conference opponents, while the Hornets have struggled against teams with winning records, with a 14-30 record against such teams. The Raptors are also ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference in points allowed per game, giving up just 111.7 points to opponents while holding them to 49.1% shooting. On the other hand, the Hornets have struggled offensively, ranking 27th in the league in points per game with just 111.2 points on average. In terms of recent form, the Raptors have won six of their last 10 games, while the Hornets have gone just 4-6 over the same stretch. Both teams have struggled with injuries, with the Hornets missing key players like LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, and Terry Rozier, while the Raptors are without players like Dalano Banton, Otto Porter Jr., and Gary Trent Jr. When it comes to betting trends, the Raptors have been a popular pick with experts and computer models. Many NBA picks experts have been predicting a Raptors win in this matchup, while computer models have been favoring the Raptors to cover the spread. The Raptors have also been included in many NBA picks and parlays for this game. Overall, the Raptors are the stronger team on paper and have the better recent form, making them a solid pick for NBA picks today. However, the Hornets do have home-court advantage and could pull off an upset if they can get their offense going. It will be an interesting matchup to watch, and bettors should keep an eye on injury updates and NBA picks with spread as they make their wagers.

NBA Predictions: Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets

The Toronto Raptors are on a five-game road losing streak and have struggled against Eastern Conference opponents this season. While the Hornets have had their own share of struggles, they have been competitive in games and are coming off a win against the Celtics. Injuries will also play a factor in this game, with LaMelo Ball out for the season and Charlotte missing other key players. However, we believe the Hornets can keep this game close and cover the spread at home. 

Pick: Charlotte Hornets (+5.5)