The Toronto Raptors' Bench Mob stepped up in a big way in Game 4's victory over Orlando. The Dinos have a chance to punch their ticket to the second round on Tuesday night in T.O.
The Toronto Raptors are developing a killer instinct that this team has lacked for years. Instead of allowing another series to drag on as they’ve done in the past, they will go for the kill Tuesday night in Toronto as they take a 3-1 series lead over the Orlando Magic into Game 5. Toronto is coming off its most complete effort of the post-season in Sunday’s victory in Orlando and opened as the biggest favourite we have seen in this series so far.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The two teams have split the four games against the spread so far. Toronto covered easily in Sunday’s 107-85 win as a 5.5-point road favourite and under bettors cashing in again as they have in every game of this series. In theory, Orlando bettors would have a better chance at covering in another low-scoring game, but the Magic are having a tough time matching up with Toronto at both ends of the floor. Early action is supporting the Raptors to cover in what will a lively environment at the Scotiabank Arena and we could see this line stretch again before the tip.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic were more active on offence in Game 4, rotating off screens better and cutting into the paint. Still, they couldn’t get inside with much consistency against Toronto’s tight defence. They trailed by just two at the end of the first quarter, but couldn’t keep pace with the Raps after that. Nikola Vucevic continues to struggle to get much inside with Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka protecting the bucket. The Magic centre had only 11 points and five rebounds on Sunday. Aaron Gordon was Orlando’s lone bright spot with 25 points and seven rebounds. Game 4 was the first time that Toronto made more trips to the charity stripe than Orlando. The Magic converted on 10 of their 13 foul shots while the Raps hit 16 of their 18 attempts.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors’ Bench Mob showed up in a big way on Sunday. While Kawhi Leonard was the best player on the floor again with 34 points, six rebounds, two steals and a couple of blocks, Toronto also got major contributions from Norman Powell, Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka. That trio combined for 38 points and 14 rebounds, helping the Raptors run out a balanced eight-man rotation. It was the first time in the series that Toronto’s bench outscored Orlando’s. The Dinos also scored 50 points in the paint and were clinical on offence no matter who was on the floor. If Toronto can get another effort like that, they’ll be moving on to the next round and could enjoy a few days off that will help the squad down the road.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 22 Apr 3:48am | ORL | -11.5 -110 | O +205.5 -110 |
| Closing 23 Apr 10:40pm | ORL | -11.5 -105 | O +206 -110 |
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 | + - |
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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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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 22 Apr 3:48am ORL -11.5 -110 O +205.5 -110 Closing 23 Apr 10:40pm ORL -11.5 -105 O +206 -110 -
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.