Point-Spreads.com has selected the game between the Charlotte Bobcats and Toronto Raptors as its Saturday hot pick. The Bobcats, winners of four in a row straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) go for a franchise record fifth straight win tonight from Charlotte Bobcats Arena with tip-off at 7 p.m. EST. The Bobcats have been installed as +3 point home underdogs to the Atlantic Division leading Raptors. The +3 Charlotte line is currently offered at offshore sportsbook Bodog.com.
The Raptors, coming off a 110-88 win and easily covering -5 ATS on Friday at home against the Pacers, have struggled this season when they play a home game and road game on consecutive dates. We have to go back to Dec. 2 to find a road win the following day after a home date when Toronto defeated Boston and New York on consecutive nights. Since then, Toronto has failed to win or cover ATS a road game the next day after a home date on three other occasions, Dec. 30 losing at Chicago, Jan 27 losing at Indiana and Feb. 9 losing at Detroit.
The Bobcats are a hot team right now and will be ready for the Raptor’s challenge. Charlotte ran its winning streak to a franchise-high-tying four games with a 102-87 win over Philadelphia on Friday in front of 15,781 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, moving its record to 22-33. The Bobcats didn’t win their 22nd game last season until April 9, 2006 in Toronto.
Over the course of the four-game winning streak, the Bobcats have had five players average 14 points or more, Gerald Wallace (22.5), Adam Morrison (17.8), Matt Carroll (16.0), Emeka Okafor (14.8) and Raymond Felton (14.0), with four of those players having led or tied for the team lead in scoring at least once. The other, Okafor, has done his part by also adding an amazing 17.8 rebounds over this stretch.
Expect Charlotte to cover +3 ATS and win this game SU versus the Raptors.
