:format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/sports-betting/2023/01/10/hornets-vs-raptors-prop-picks-expect-a-big-night-from-lamelo-ball/2023-01-CP25507545.jpg)
The Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets begin their two-game mini-series at Scotiabank Arena tonight.
The pregame narrative: LaMelo Ball has been piling up assists at a frenetic pace this season and we’re expecting him to take advantage of Toronto’s slumping defence. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam holds value to hit a pair of threes.
Here are our Hornets vs. Raptors prop picks for January 10.
Odds as of 11:09 a.m. on 01/10/2023.
Hornets vs. Raptors prop picks
Best Bet : Ball over 8.5 assists (+106)
We don’t have a huge sample size for Ball this season due to injuries — he’s only played 17 games — but he’s done more than enough to warrant our interest in this line.
Charlotte’s point guard is averaging 8.3 assists per game that, if qualified, would be good for fifth in the NBA — right behind Luka Doncic. He’s also recorded nine-plus assists in four of his past six games and is averaging 9.7 helpers in that span.
That doesn’t seem like a huge buffer zone but we also need to consider Toronto’s defence. The Raptors allow the eighth-most assists per game to opponents in the NBA (25.8) and the fifth-most fast break points (15.4), per NBA.com.
The Hornets, meanwhile, rank seventh in assists (26.3), sixth in assist percentage (61.4%) and ninth in fast break points (15.3) since Ball returned from injury on December 14.
We’re expecting Ball to distribute at an elite level tonight.
Key stat: Ball is averaging 9.5 assists per game in January.
Quick picks
Ball to record a double-double (+155): Ball has recorded 10-plus points in every game this season, so we’re banking on an additional assist or 10 rebounds in this play.
He’s got eight double-doubles in 14 games since returning to action, including five in his last seven. We think he can cruise to a double-digit assist total against the Raptors but also wouldn’t be surprised if he has a big night on the glass, too.
Toronto is a bottom-10 rebounding team in the NBA and ranks dead last in defensive rebounds per game (30.1).
Siakam over 1.5 threes (+148): Siakam isn’t a long-range assassin by any means, but he’s cleared this mark in six of his past 10 games — and three of his last five.
It helps that he’ll be up against a Hornets defence that allows the 11th-most threes (12.7) and third-most points (118.1) per game. Let’s back Siakam to hit a pair from deep at a generous price.
Disclaimer This content was produced as part of a partnership and therefore it may not meet the standards of impartial or independent journalism.
:format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/sports-betting/2023/01/10/hornets-vs-raptors-prop-picks-expect-a-big-night-from-lamelo-ball/2023-01-CP25507545.jpg&description=Partner+Content+%7C+Hornets+vs.+Raptors+prop+picks%3A+Expect+a+big+night+from+LaMelo+Ball){kind=link}