Nets vs. Raptors Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
In July 2013, the Brooklyn Nets mortgaged their future in a huge trade with the Boston Celtics that brought future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets. It might go down as the most lopsided deal in NBA history – against Brooklyn.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
For that reason and owing several first-round picks to Boston, the Nets were one of the NBA’s worst teams each of the past three seasons. However, all debts are paid now and the arrow is finally pointing up for this franchise as the Nets are one of the NBA’s most improved teams in the league after winning 28 games in 2017-18.
Want proof of that improvement? The Nets ended a 12-game losing streak to Toronto with a 106-105 home overtime victory on Dec. 7. D’Angelo Russell scored 29 points, including six in the extra session. as Brooklyn won for the first time in the series since April 3, 2015. Fred VanVleet’s potential winning three-pointer looked good but spun out. Kawhi Leonard led Toronto with 32 points, but Kyle Lowry had just three on 1-for-8 shooting.
The Nets entered that game on an eight-game skid this season and 8-18 overall but have shockingly been one of the East’s best teams since. Toronto has won the past six at home in the series.
Brooklyn Nets
Interestingly enough, the Nets also come off a home game vs. the Hawks (see below) as Brooklyn beat Atlanta on Wednesday 116-100 despite trailing by as many as 19. The Nets are now 13-4 in their past 17, the franchise’s best 17-game stretch since 2013-14. Russell had 23 points and Joe Harris returned from a one-game injury absence with 16 points and nine rebounds. The Nets are thin at forward right now with injuries to Jared Dudley (hamstring – left in third quarter Wednesday), Allen Crabbe (knee) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin).
The injuries have given more playing time to rookie Rodions Kurucs, who is starting to look like a steal as the No. 40 overall pick in the 2018 draft out of Latvia. The Nets are 2-7 ATS in their past nine road games vs. teams with a winning record.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors conclude a three-game homestand looking for a fourth straight victory. Following big wins at Milwaukee and over Indiana, Toronto was looking past horrid Atlanta on Tuesday but escaped 104-101. Serge Ibaka scored the winning points on a dunk with 17 seconds left. Leonard, who sat vs. the Pacers for rest, had 31 points, six assists and six steals (part of a franchise-record-tying 18 steals) vs. the Hawks. Pascal Siakam had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Lowry, playing in a game with Leonard for the first time since Dec. 9, had 16 points. Danny Green got the night off, so VanVleet started and had nine points, five rebounds and four assists. Toronto looks to tie a season high with its seventh straight home victory here. The Raptors are 2-6 ATS in their past eight on Friday.
