Hornets vs. Raptors Picks and Prediction for Friday, December 5, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s a clash of Eastern Conference teams on the parquet floor north of the border as the Charlotte Hornets collide with the Toronto Raptors Friday night and we have things covered with our Hornets vs. Raptors prediction. Charlotte fell 119-104 to New York on the road Wednesday night in their previous contest, failing to cover the line as a nine-point underdog. Toronto was at home against the Lakers on Thursday night. The Raptors downed Portland 121-118 at home Tuesday night in their previous contest, failing to cover the line as a five-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Raptors hold a 52-50 advantage, but the Hornets picked up a 118-111 home overtime win in the most recent matchup on November 29. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the Raptors’ game with the Lakers on Thursday night. Read more about this Hornets vs. Raptors prediction! No air balls here—only slam dunks with our NBA Picks!
Charlotte Trying to Get Back in Win Column
Charlotte dropped their second straight and their ninth in their last 11 games as they fell to the Knicks on Wednesday night. The Hornets entered Thursday 6-16 and stood fourth in the Southeast Division, eight games behind the Heat for the top spot. Against New York, Charlotte never led in the contest as they gave up the first four points of the game and found themselves down 27-12 after the opening quarter. The Hornets trailed by as many as 20 in the second quarter and got within three before going to the half down six. Charlotte never got closer than that the rest of the way, trailing by as many as 22 en route to the loss. The Hornets shot 40% from the floor, including 13 of 42 from beyond the arc, and lost the points in the paint by a 54-40 margin. LaMelo Ball paced Charlotte with 34 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in the loss.
On the season, the Hornets are 21st in the league in scoring offense with 114.7 points per game. Charlotte is 16th in the league in rebounding, as they collect 44.4 boards per contest and 23rd in assists with 25.3 dimes per contest. The Hornets are 23rd in scoring defense as they allow an average of 119.9 points per game. LaMelo Ball (19.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists) is one of the team’s top scoring threats. Miles Bridges (21.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists) and Brandon Miller (17 points, three assists) are solid contributors on the offensive end of the floor. Collin Sexton (15.5 points, 4.2 assists), Kon Knueppel (18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds), Moussa Diabate (nine points, eight rebounds), Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James, Tidjuan Salaun, Tre Mann (9.2 points), Pat Connaughton, Mason Plumlee and Liam McNeeley are looked to provide rotational depth for the Hornets. Charlotte is 25th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 45.1% from the field as a team. The Hornets are 10th in threes per game with 13.8 per contest and 23rd in three-point field goal percentage by shooting 34.4% from beyond the arc. Charlotte is above average in free-throw shooting, ranking 3rd by converting 83.3% of their attempts this season.
Key Injury Report for Hornets:
- Guard Josh Green (shoulder) is out.
- Forward Grant Williams (knee) is out.
- Guard Pat Connaughton (calf) is out.
- Guard Collin Sexton (thigh) is out.
- Forward Brandon Miller (wrist) is questionable.
- Center Ryan Kalkbrenner (ankle) is questionable.
- Guard Tre Mann (knee) is questionable.
Raptors Closing Back-to-Back Set
Toronto was in action against the Lakers in interconference action Thursday night at home. The Raptors entered Thursday 15-7 and held a half-game edge over the Knicks for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Toronto entered Thursday 1-3 in the second game of back-to-back situations with a -9.7-ppg scoring differential (106.8 ppg for, 116.5 ppg against) in those situations. The Raptors are 8-2 at home with a +7.5-ppg scoring margin (117.9 ppg for, 110.4 ppg against) on the year. Toronto is 13-4 with a +7.7-ppg scoring differential (117.6 ppg for, 109.9 ppg against) against Eastern Conference foes.
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This season, Toronto stands 16th in scoring offense as they put up an average of 117.7 points per game on the season. The Raptors are 23rd in rebounding with 42.7 boards a night, while they are 4th by dishing out an average of 29.9 assists a night. Toronto stands 5th in scoring defense as they allow an average of 113.1 points a night this season. Brandon Ingram is leading the team with 21.5 points plus 5.7 rebounds per game. RJ Barrett (19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds), Scottie Barnes (20.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, five assists), and Immanuel Quickley (16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists) are good secondary scoring options. Gradey Dick, Collin Murray-Broyles, Jakub Poeltl (10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds), Jamal Shead, Sandro Mamukelashvili (10 points), Jamison Battle, Ochai Agbaji, and Jonathan Mogbo are looked at to provide some sort of secondary scoring punch. The Raptors are 4th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 49.2% from the floor as a team. Toronto stands 26th by knocking down 11.6 three-pointers a night, while they are 13th in three-point field goal percentage as they sink 36.4% of their attempts on the season. The Raptors are struggling at the charity stripe as they are 23rd by shooting 76.7% as a team this season.
Key Injury Report for Raptors:
- Forward RJ Barrett (knee) is out.
- Forward Ochai Agbaji (personal) is day-to-day.
- Center Jakub Poeltl (rest) was out Thursday but is expected to return here.
Hornets vs. Raptors Pick
Hornets vs. Raptors Spread Pick
- Raptors -7.5 (4 units)
These teams have split two meetings this season. While Charlotte has the rest advantage heading into this contest, they are a dismal 1-10 on the road this season and have several key contributors either ruled out or questionable for this contest. Toronto is playing the second game of a back-to-back and their third game in four nights here, but they should have the majority of their rotation available for this contest. Charlotte is below average on both ends of the floor and they don’t have the firepower to keep up with Toronto here, especially on the road. Take the Raptors in this one as they take the edge in the season series.
Hornets vs. Raptors Over/Under Pick
- Under 233.5 (4 units)
Charlotte has stayed under the number in 14 of their 22 games entering Friday night. The Hornets are 21st in the league in scoring offense, 18th in offensive efficiency, and 23rd in tempo as they average 98.9 possessions a night this season. Charlotte is 23rd in scoring defense, 27th in field goal percentage defense (49.6%), 19th in threes allowed (13.8) per game, and 30th in three-point defense (39.7%) on the year. Toronto has stayed under the number in 13 of their 22 games on the year entering Thursday. The Raptors are 16th in the league in scoring offense, 12th in offensive efficiency, and 14th in tempo by averaging 100.1 possessions a night. In the two meetings this season, the teams combined for 218 and 229 points, respectively. With Charlotte missing so many pieces, this game ends up short of the mark.
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