Hornets vs. Raptors prop picks: Expect a big night from LaMelo Ball

The Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets begin their two-game mini-series at Scotiabank Arena tonight.

LaMelo Ball is expected to have a big night against Toronto's poor defence. Pascal Siakam is a good value to hit a pair of threes.

LaMelo Ball is expected to have a big night for Charlotte Hornets. He's averaging 9.7 assists per game since his return from injury on December 14. Toronto Raptors allow the eighth-most assists to opponents in the NBA (25.8) and the fifth-highest fast break points (15.4). Charlotte's team ranks seventh in assists (26.3), sixth in assist percentage (61. 4%) and ninth in fast-break points.

LaMelo Ball has recorded 10-plus points in every game this season. He's got eight double-doubles in 14 games since returning to action. LaMelos has five double doubles in his last seven games. Toronto is a bottom-10 team in the NBA and last in defensive rebounds per game (30.1).

Siakam is over 1.5 threes in six of his last 10 games and three of last five. He's up against a Hornets defence that allows the 11th-most thicks per game and third-highest points per contest.