Wednesday night’s NBA slate brings us an Eastern Conference matchup as the Toronto Raptors head to Charlotte to take on the Hornets. Both teams are seeking momentum in early January, with Toronto sitting comfortably above .500 and in the thick of the playoff conversation in the East, while Charlotte tries to climb out of its current slump. Here, I break down this matchup from Spectrum Center and give you my Raptors vs Hornets prediction.
Our Raptors vs Hornets Pick
| Pick: | |
| Confidence: | 3/5 |
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Toronto Raptors @ Charlotte Hornets
- Date & Time: Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
The Raptors enter this contest with a 22‑15 record, earning respect as a team that plays solid basketball on both ends. Toronto has leaned on its stars such as Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and RJ Barrett to generate offense and facilitate ball movement. They’ve navigated through ups and downs but have consistently been in the top half of the Eastern Conference standings. The Raptors won two straight games over the Atlanta Hawks after a shocking loss to the Denver Nuggets on New Year’s Eve and the Raps will try to grab a third straight win here.
Charlotte’s 13‑23 record reflects a team still searching for consistency. The Hornets score at a middle‑of‑the‑pack clip but allow more points than they score. They rebound well and are among the league leaders in three‑point attempts, with Kon Knueppel knocking down a hefty number of outside shots. Miles Bridges remains a key option, and Brandon Miller’s scoring threat can swing games when he is healthy. Charlotte has won two straight games of their own coming into this contest, blowing out a top‑tier Thunder team in their last game. But the Hornets’ ceiling isn’t the question for them, it is their consistency that has always been the issue.
Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends
- Charlotte leads the season series 2-1 over the Raptors this year.
- The home team is 2-1 in games between the Hornets and Raptors this season.
- Toronto is 17-20 against the spread so far this season.
- Charlotte is 21-15 against the spread going into this matchup.
- The under is 22-14 in Hornets games this season.
- The under is 23-14 in games involving the Raptors this year.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Brandon Ingram | |
| Miles Bridges | |
| Immanuel Quickley | |
| Kon Knueppel |
Raptors vs Hornets Model Projection
Final Thoughts
