Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions, Wednesday, January 7th, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Toronto Raptors (22-15) and the Charlotte Hornets (13-23) tip off in an Eastern Conference clash on Wednesday night in this Raptors vs. Hornets prediction. These teams have already met three times this season, with the Hornets winning two of the three matchups. Toronto is coming off a 118-100 home win over Atlanta, easily covering the 2.5-point spread as favorites. Charlotte just played in Oklahoma City, and pulled off a surprising upset as they won 124-97 as 15.5-point road underdogs. Tipoff is set for 7:00 EST. Keep reading to see our Raptors vs. Hornets prediction, and check out all of our winning NBA Picks
Toronto Wins Four of Five
The Toronto Raptors have been playing solid basketball over the past week, improving their spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They have won four of their last five, with all five of the games being played on their home floor. Their victories were over the Warriors, Magic, and two games against the Hawks, while their only loss came against the Nuggets. Toronto is now 4th in the Eastern Conference, just 1.5-games behind the Knicks in 3rd. In their most recent game, the Raptors had seven players in double figures, led by Brandon Ingram with 19.
Ingram has been their top scorer this season with 22.2 PPG to go with his 6.1 RPG and 3.7 APG. He has known to be injury prone throughout his career, but has played in all 37 games for Toronto this season, including his recent 30-point game against the Nuggets. Scottie Barnes had 18 points and 10 assists in their win over Atlanta, he is getting 19.1 PPG and leads the team with 8.6 APG. The Raptors get the bulk of their scoring from the wing, as RJ Barrett is getting another 19.2 PPG and is now back in the lineup after missing 16 games this season with injuries.
Their starting lineup has been rounded out by Immanuel Quickley (16.2 PPG) and Collin Murray-Boyles (7.2 PPG). Sandro Mamukelashvili has been their top player off the bench, the 6'9 journeyman is contributing another 10.5 PPG and 5.0 RPG. The Raptors are 21st in offensive efficiency and 9th in defensive efficiency according to dunksandthrees.com. Toronto plays relatively slow, ranking just 22nd in the league in pace of play based on the total amount of possessions per game.
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Hornets Pull Off An Upset
The Charlotte Hornets just became the biggest underdog of the season to win a game outright, as they were 15.5-point underdogs in their game in Oklahoma City where they won the game by 27 points. Charlotte got strong performances from their young stars, as Brandon Miller led the way with 28 points while hitting seven threes, and Kon Knueppel added another 23 points including five threes. The Hornets still have ground to make up in the standings, as they are currently 12th in the East, and three games out of the final Play-In Tournament spot.
Four players on the Hornets share the scoring load, as they all fall between 19.5 PPG and 20.1 PPG. The two tied at the top are Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller. Bridges is their physical forward who likes to attack the basket and grabs 6.5 RPG, while Miller has become more of an outside shooter as a 6'7 forward. Miller is converting 3.0 threes per game on 36.0% shooting from deep. The Hornets like to let it fly from the perimeter, as LaMelo Ball (3.3 threes per game) and Kon Knueppel (3.6 threes per game) also fill it up from deep. Ball scores 19.7 PPG to go with a team high 7.9 APG, while Knueppel is getting 19.5 PPG in his rookie season.
Their fifth starter is big man Moussa Diabate who is getting 8.0 RPG and 8.2 RPG, while Collin Sexton is their spark plug off the bench bringing another 15.1 PPG. The Hornets are 10th in offensive efficiency and 25th in defensive efficiency. Charlotte plays at a similar pace as Toronto, ranking 20th in the league in pace of play.
Injury Report for Raptors vs. Hornets:
Raptors:
- Out: Jakob Poeltl
- Questionable: Chucky Hepburn
Hornets:
- Out: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Grant Williams, Mason Plumlee
Raptors vs. Hornets Picks and Predictions
Spread pick for Raptors vs. Hornets
- Raptors to cover (5 units)
This is a textbook let-down spot for the Hornets. The team is only 12th in the Eastern Conference, and is coming off back to back wins over Chicago and Oklahoma City. The Thunder win was especially shocking, while is why there will be a let down here as they cannot keep up that level of outside shooting. Miller and Knueppel combined for 12 threes in the game, they will cook off here, especially with all the perimeter length the Raptors have. Ingram, Barnes and Barrett can all defend the three point line with their length, which will take away one of the top strengths of Charlotte. The Hornets are light in the middle, with both Kalkbrenner and Plumlee out. Expect the Raptors to take this one easily.
Take the Raptors to cover.
Over/Under Pick for Raptors vs. Hornets
- Over (4 units)
The Hornets are going to look to bomb away from deep, and there will also be easier lanes to the bucket as both teams are without important rim protectors. The Raptors are playing without Poeltl, he is their typical starting center, and his absence will make it easier for the Charlotte perimeter players to get to the bucket. Similarly on the other side of the floor, Kalkbrenner and Plumlee are out, which makes scoring at the rim easier for Ingram, Barnes and company. Both teams are coming off a day of rest, so the players that are healthy will be fresh. The Hornets are built for overs, as they are 10th in offensive efficiency but only 25th in defensive efficiency, expect a high scoring game here.
Take the over.
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