The Raptors have lost some close games recently — like extremely close games.
Last night, Toronto dropped a 123-120 decision to the Lakers, losing the contest on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Rui Hachimura. That was despite the Raptors holding LeBron James to under 10 points for the first time in nearly 1,300 starts. Prior to that heartbreak, Toronto lost an overtime tilt to this same Hornets squad last weekend, with Kon Knueppel hitting a very similar looking three-pointer to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.
Can the Raptors get back in the win column on Friday evening? Let’s preview tonight’s game with the help of some of some odds and lines on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Hornets vs. Raptors prediction, preview
This is already the third time these two teams have met in 2025-26, with both prior contests coming right down to the wire. Despite that, the Raptors have had somewhat of a stranglehold in this series in recent years — at least in Toronto — with the Hornets having dropped their past 10 road games in this matchup. That’s the longest active road losing streak that Charlotte has against a single Eastern Conference opponent.
If the Hornets want to end that dubious trend, they’ll have to slow down Scottie Barnes. The former Rookie of the Year has taken his game to a whole new level this season, averaging career-highs in points per game (20.4), blocks per game (1.7) and steals per game (1.4). Those improvements have not only helped lead the Raptors to a 15-8 start and the three-seed in the East, but were a crucial element in Barnes taking home Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for October/November. Barnes also has four double-doubles in his past six starts, one of which came versus this same Charlotte defense. Last Saturday, Barnes registered 30 points and 12 rebounds in one of his more memorable statistical performances of 2025-26, though Toronto would go on to lose in OT despite his efforts.
Health is another concern for the Hornets on Friday. Brandon Miller (shoulder) is questionable to play after missing the team’s past two games, as is Ryan Kalkbrenner (ankle), who was forced to leave Wednesday’s loss to the Knicks in the fourth quarter. Collin Sexton (thigh) also exited that defeat in New York early, and the veteran guard has already been ruled out for tonight’s festivities. Sexton’s absence might not seem all that consequential, yet the veteran was one of the driving forces behind Charlotte’s come-from-behind victory against the Raptors six days ago, with Sexton even playing in place of LaMelo Ball down the stretch of the fourth and into overtime.
Ball had not been performing well heading into Wednesday, having scored 16 points or fewer in four straight games, all while shooting a putrid 32.8% (19-for-58) from the field. However, the former All-Star certainly looked better in his matchup with the Knicks, registering 34 points and narrowly missing out on a triple-double with nine assists and eight rebounds. Whether Ball’s found his rhythm or if it was just the bright lights of MSG remains unclear, yet Charlotte will need a similar showing if it wants to break a two-game losing streak tonight in Toronto.
Hornets vs. Raptors pick, best bet
Best Bet: Scottie Barnes 31+ Points + Rebounds (-118)
Barnes is averaging 23.5 points and 9.3 rebounds across his past six starts — a span that coincides with an injury to RJ Barrett (knee). In fact, for the season as a whole, Barnes is producing 25.9 points per 75 possessions with Barrett of the floor, which is far better than the 18.3 points per 75 he’s creating when sharing the court with his teammate.
