Raptors Aim to End Hornets’ Road Struggles in Key Matchup

TORONTO, Ontario — The Toronto Raptors (29-50), who sit 11th in the Eastern Conference, host the Charlotte Hornets (19-60) on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. EDT, hoping to conclude the season on a high note amidst both teams’ struggles. This matchup is significant as it features two teams already eliminated from playoff contention.

The Raptors are looking to build on a solid home record and improve their playoff lottery chances. Toronto currently ranks third in the Eastern Conference in rebounds, averaging 45.1 per game, led by their star player, who records 9.6 boards per game. In contrast, the Hornets have struggled mightily, with a record of 10-39 against Eastern Conference opponents and a road losing streak extended to six games.

This season, the Raptors have shot 45.8% from the field, just below the 46.8% that the Hornets allow to opponents. Charlotte meanwhile boasts an impressive average of 12.3 offensive rebounds per game, demonstrating their tenacity on the boards.

Top individual performances include players from both teams. For the Raptors, their star averages 18.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. On the Hornets’ side, leading scorer is averaging 20.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. However, Charlotte has struggled to put points on the board, averaging just 104 points in their last ten games, yielding a poor winning record of 1-9.

In injury news, several key Raptors players will be unavailable. Jakob Poeltl is day-to-day due to a hand contusion and sharing the list of absentees are Scottie Barnes, who is questionable with a hand injury, along with multiple players on the Hornets’ roster, including Grant Williams, who is out for the season with an ACL injury.

Overall, both teams are jostling for better lottery positions as they close out the season. According to the BETMGM sportsbook, the Raptors are favored by 8.5 points, with an over/under set at 216.5 for the game.