Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors Preview and Betting Tips - Dec. 5 | 2025-26 NBA Season

NBA: Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets - Source: Imagn
Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors Preview and Betting Tips - Dec. 5 | 2025-26 NBA Season. [photo: Imagn]

The Charlotte Hornets will cap off a three-game road trip with a matchup against the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Charlotte, 0-2 during this stretch, looks to salvage a win before returning home. Collin Sexton (quad) and Grant Williams (surgery recovery) are out, while Tre Mann (knee), Brandon Miller (shoulder) and Ryan Kalkbrenne (ankle) are questionable.

Ad

Meanwhile, the Raptors will host the Hornets less than 24 hours after losing 123-120 to the LA Lakers. Toronto, 1-3 in its last four games after winning nine straight, looks to shake off its slump. Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram are expected to lead the hosts.

Ad

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors Preview, Predicted Starting Lineups, Betting Tips and Prediction

Moneyline: Hornets (+277) vs. Raptors (-352)

Odds: Hornets (+8.5 -110) vs. Raptors (-8.5 -110)

Total (O/U): Hornets (o231.5 -110) vs. Raptors (u231.5 -110)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game.


Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors preview

The Hornets are 1-1 in the season series against the Raptors. In the two closely fought games between the teams, the offensive rebounding battle has been the key. The team that had more offensive boards won the game.

Ad

Charlotte must also do a better job of running shooters off the 3-point line or contesting from that distance. In the first Hornets-Raptors meeting, Toronto shot 40% to Charlotte’s 25%.

Fatigue might play a factor in the Raptors’ hosting of the Hornets. Scottie Barnes and Co. will be playing their fourth game in six nights. The Raptors will also be coming off a showdown against the Lakers that wasn’t decided until Rui Hachimura’s buzzer-beating triple.

Ad

Jamison Battle, Collin Murray-Boyles and Gradey Dick, Toronto’s young second-stringers, must step up to help the weary starters.


Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors predicted starting lineups

Hornets

PG: LaMelo Ball | SG: Kon Knueppel | SG: Sion James | PF: Moussa Diabate | PF: Miles Bridges

Raptors

PG: Immanuel Quickley | SG: Ja’Kobe Walter | SF: Brandon Ingram | PF: Scottie Barnes | C: Sandro Mamukelashvili


Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors betting tips

Scottie Barnes has been filling up the stat sheet in December, averaging 28.0 points, seven rebounds and seven assists per game. The versatile forward could blow past his 37.5 (O/U) combined points, rebounds and assists props. He could take advantage of Charlotte’s bottom-five defense to rack up another productive night.

Ad

While Barnes is on a roll, Miles Bridges has lost his scoring touch this month. After averaging 23.8 ppg in November, he is putting up 8.0 ppg in December. Bridges likely fails to top his 20.5 (O/U) points prop.


Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors prediction

The Toronto Raptors will play the second night of a back-to-back set, but they are at home. They have also been playing much better than the Charlotte Hornets this season. Expect the hosts to bounce back from their loss to the Lakers with a win that beats the -8.5 spread.

Toronto Raptors Fan? Check out the latest Toronto Raptors depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

Quick Links

Edited by Michael Macasero
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications