Sports

Toronto Raptors (14-5, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (5-14, 12th in the Eastern Conference)

Charlotte, North Carolina; Saturday, 6 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Raptors -8.5; over/under is 231.5

BOTTOM LINE: Toronto aims to keep its nine-game win streak intact when the Raptors take on Charlotte.

The Hornets are 4-9 in conference games. Charlotte is 4-9 against opponents over .500.

The Raptors are 13-2 in conference play. Toronto ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference shooting 37.0% from 3-point range.

The Hornets average 14.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.3 more made shots on average than the 11.9 per game the Raptors allow. The Raptors are shooting 49.6% from the field, 0.7% lower than the 50.3% the Hornets' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Raptors won the last matchup 110-108 on Nov. 18. Brandon Ingram scored 27 points to help lead the Raptors to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kon Knueppel is shooting 46.9% and averaging 18.3 points for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 27.0 points over the last 10 games.

Immanuel Quickley is scoring 15.5 points per game and averaging 4.8 rebounds for the Raptors. Ingram is averaging 26.0 points and 8.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hornets: 2-8, averaging 112.8 points, 42.6 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 6.6 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.3 points per game.

Raptors: 9-1, averaging 119.1 points, 43.0 rebounds, 29.6 assists, 9.3 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.6 points.

INJURIES: Hornets: Grant Williams: day to day (acl), Pat Connaughton: day to day (calf), Josh Green: day to day (shoulder).

Raptors: RJ Barrett: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Detroit Pistons (15-4, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (13-6, third in the Eastern Conference)

Miami; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Heat -3.5; over/under is 238.5

BOTTOM LINE: Miami will try to keep its four-game home win streak alive when the Heat take on Detroit.

The Heat are 8-3 against conference opponents. Miami is second in the league averaging 122.9 points and is shooting 47.9% from the field.

The Pistons have gone 11-4 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit leads the league in inside scoring, averaging 57.5 points per game in the paint this season. Jalen Duren leads them with 13.5 points per game in the paint.

The Heat's 13.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.2 fewer made shots on average than the 13.3 per game the Pistons allow. The Pistons average 11.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.9 fewer made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Heat give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kel'el Ware is shooting 52.9% and averaging 12.4 points for the Heat. Tyler Herro is averaging 29.0 points over the last 10 games.

Duren is scoring 19.5 points per game and averaging 11.8 rebounds for the Pistons. Cade Cunningham is averaging 4.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 8-2, averaging 123.1 points, 49.6 rebounds, 30.8 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.7 points per game.

Pistons: 8-2, averaging 120.7 points, 45.4 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 10.1 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.7 points.

INJURIES: Heat: Norman Powell: day to day (groin), Jaime Jaquez Jr.: day to day (groin), Andrew Wiggins: day to day (hip).

Pistons: Marcus Sasser: out (hip), Bobi Klintman: day to day (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.