Jeremy Lin is giving the Dinos a boost off the bench. Lin is averaging 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists since joining the Raps.
With the drama of DeMar DeRozan’s return to Toronto finally behind them, the Raptors can refocus on their run to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. They’ll carry a seven-game winning streak into Sunday’s home encounter with an Orlando Magic team that has also played well of late to inject itself into the East playoff race. It’s the third of four meetings between the clubs this season; they split the first two decisions, both in Orlando.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 24 Feb 2:04am | ORL | -9.5 -110 | O +219.5 -110 |
| Closing 24 Feb 8:26pm | ORL | -7.5 -110 | O +217 -115 |
The Raptors are as close to double-digit favourites as you can get without actually being one – but 9 (or 9.5 in this case at the open) has not exactly been a magic number for Toronto of late. It has failed to cover three consecutive games as a favourite of 9.5 points or more and is just 5-9 ATS in its previous 14 games in that situation. Meanwhile, the Magic have been a tough road opponent, having covered six of their previous seven games away from Orlando.
The total for this one is a shade below 220, which should generate plenty of interest from over bettors given that the Raptors average 116 points per game at home. But Toronto is 5-2 to the under in its previous seven games against Eastern Conference foes, and has gone below the number seven times in its last 10 following a win. And the teams have combined to convert the under in four of their past five head-to-head encounters.
Orlando Magic
Orlando’s decision to hang onto star center Nikola Vucevic rather than ship him out prior to the trade deadline has paid major dividends for the Magic, who are 7-2 SU over their past nine to move to within striking distance for eighth place in the East. But for as good as Vucevic has played this season (20.5 ppg, 12.1 rpg), the Magic are in the hunt thanks to a surprisingly stout defence that has limited opponents to 106.9 points per game, the sixth-best rate in the NBA.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors made a major splash in and around the deadline, acquiring big-time frontcourt help in Marc Gasol and a capable backup point guard in Jeremy Lin. And both players have excelled in their brief tenures with Toronto, which enters Sunday afternoon with a sensational 25-5 SU mark at Scotiabank Arena. Lin is averaging 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists while Gasol has posted marks of 8.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
Injuries
Jonathan Isaac (PF)
Melvin Frazier Jr. (SG)
Wes Iwundu (SF)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Isaiah Briscoe (PG)
Terrence Ross (SG)
D.J. Augustin (PG)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Wes Iwundu (SF)
Isaiah Briscoe (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Pascal Siakam (PF)
Jeremy Lin (PG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Serge Ibaka (C)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Isaac (PF) | Prob Sat | Concussion - 07 / 04 / 19 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Isaac has been placed in concussion protocol but it is anticipated that he will be cleared in time for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Raptors. |
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| Melvin Frazier Jr. (SG) | Ques Thurs | Back - 25 / 03 / 19 | 9-5 | 8-6 | + - |
|
Frazier Jr. has been held out of the last two games with a lower-back contusion and it is unknown if it will keep him off the court Thursday against the Pistons. |
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| Wes Iwundu (SF) | Prob Wed | Toe - 12 / 03 / 19 | 12-7 | 8-11 | + - |
|
Iwundu has a toe injury but is likely to play against the Wizards on Wednesday. |
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| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Prob Wed | Ribs - 11 / 03 / 19 | 12-7 | 8-11 | + - |
|
Gordan is dealing with sore ribs but is likely to suit up Wednesday against the Wizards. |
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| Isaiah Briscoe (PG) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 08 / 03 / 19 | 12-9 | 9-12 | + - |
|
Briscoe will be out of commission for an extended period of time due to a small meniscus tear in his right knee. |
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| Terrence Ross (SG) | Prob Fri | Achilles - 05 / 03 / 19 | 12-10 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Ross missed the previous game with a sore left Achilles but it is likely he will draw back into the lineup against the Mavericks on Friday. |
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| D.J. Augustin (PG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 03 / 03 / 19 | 13-10 | 10-13 | + - |
|
Augustin has a right ankle sprain but is expected to play Sunday against the Cavaliers. |
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| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Sat | Illness - 01 / 03 / 19 | 14-10 | 10-14 | + - |
|
Bournier is battling an illness but is expected to play against the Pacers on Saturday. |
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| Wes Iwundu (SF) | Prob Sat | Thigh - 01 / 03 / 19 | 14-10 | 10-14 | + - |
|
Iwundu is dealing with a thigh bruise but is expected to be able to participate in Saturday's game versus the Pacers. |
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| Isaiah Briscoe (PG) | Prob Thurs | Concussion - 24 / 02 / 19 | 15-12 | 11-16 | + - |
|
Briscoe has out the last two games as he was going through the league-mandated concussion protocol but is expected to be cleared in time for Thursday's contest against the Warriors. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Prob Mon | Face - 08 / 06 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Thurs | Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 | 7-4 | 6-6 | + - |
|
McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Pascal Siakam (PF) | Prob Sun | Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 | 9-6 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion. |
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| Jeremy Lin (PG) | Prob Tues | Back - 02 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 01 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Mon | Back - 18 / 04 / 19 | 13-8 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers. |
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| Serge Ibaka (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 | 15-9 | 10-15 | + - |
|
Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 | 15-10 | 10-15-1 | + - |
|
Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 | 18-10 | 12-16-1 | + - |
|
Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Fri | Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 | 19-10 | 12-17-1 | + - |
|
McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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Magic vs. Raptors Prediction
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 Feb 2:04am ORL -9.5 -110 O +219.5 -110 Closing 24 Feb 8:26pm ORL -7.5 -110 O +217 -115 -
Injuries
Jonathan Isaac (PF)
Prob Sat Concussion - 07 / 04 / 19Melvin Frazier Jr. (SG)
Ques Thurs Back - 25 / 03 / 19Wes Iwundu (SF)
Prob Wed Toe - 12 / 03 / 19Aaron Gordon (PF)
Prob Wed Ribs - 11 / 03 / 19Isaiah Briscoe (PG)
Out indefinitely Knee - 08 / 03 / 19Terrence Ross (SG)
Prob Fri Achilles - 05 / 03 / 19D.J. Augustin (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 03 / 19Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Sat Illness - 01 / 03 / 19Wes Iwundu (SF)
Prob Sat Thigh - 01 / 03 / 19Isaiah Briscoe (PG)
Prob Thurs Concussion - 24 / 02 / 19Fred VanVleet (PG)
Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19Pascal Siakam (PF)
Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19Jeremy Lin (PG)
Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19Serge Ibaka (C)
Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jonathan Isaac (PF) Prob Sat Concussion - 07 / 04 / 19 5-2 3-4 + - Isaac has been placed in concussion protocol but it is anticipated that he will be cleared in time for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Raptors.
Melvin Frazier Jr. (SG) Ques Thurs Back - 25 / 03 / 19 9-5 8-6 + - Frazier Jr. has been held out of the last two games with a lower-back contusion and it is unknown if it will keep him off the court Thursday against the Pistons.
Wes Iwundu (SF) Prob Wed Toe - 12 / 03 / 19 12-7 8-11 + - Iwundu has a toe injury but is likely to play against the Wizards on Wednesday.
Aaron Gordon (PF) Prob Wed Ribs - 11 / 03 / 19 12-7 8-11 + - Gordan is dealing with sore ribs but is likely to suit up Wednesday against the Wizards.
Isaiah Briscoe (PG) Out indefinitely Knee - 08 / 03 / 19 12-9 9-12 + - Briscoe will be out of commission for an extended period of time due to a small meniscus tear in his right knee.
Terrence Ross (SG) Prob Fri Achilles - 05 / 03 / 19 12-10 9-13 + - Ross missed the previous game with a sore left Achilles but it is likely he will draw back into the lineup against the Mavericks on Friday.
D.J. Augustin (PG) Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 03 / 19 13-10 10-13 + - Augustin has a right ankle sprain but is expected to play Sunday against the Cavaliers.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Sat Illness - 01 / 03 / 19 14-10 10-14 + - Bournier is battling an illness but is expected to play against the Pacers on Saturday.
Wes Iwundu (SF) Prob Sat Thigh - 01 / 03 / 19 14-10 10-14 + - Iwundu is dealing with a thigh bruise but is expected to be able to participate in Saturday's game versus the Pacers.
Isaiah Briscoe (PG) Prob Thurs Concussion - 24 / 02 / 19 15-12 11-16 + - Briscoe has out the last two games as he was going through the league-mandated concussion protocol but is expected to be cleared in time for Thursday's contest against the Warriors.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Fred VanVleet (PG) Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19 2-0 1-2 + - VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 7-4 6-6 + - McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Pascal Siakam (PF) Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 9-6 8-8 + - Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion.
Jeremy Lin (PG) Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Chris Boucher (PF) Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks.
Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19 13-8 9-13 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers.
Serge Ibaka (C) Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 15-9 10-15 + - Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 15-10 10-15-1 + - Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 18-10 12-16-1 + - Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 19-10 12-17-1 + - McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.