After watching the Toronto Raptors put a nasty beating on the Orlando Magic in Game 2, oddsmakers have the Dinos as favourites for Friday's Game 3 in Florida.
The tension was thick at the Scotiabank Arena ahead of Game 2 as fans wondered which Toronto Raptors team would show up – the club that sleepwalked through Game 1, or the one that looked like a bonafide contender for much of the regular season. It didn’t take long to find out. Toronto jumped on the Magic early with suffocating defence and relentlessly drove the ball into the paint. When the Raps play like that, they can beat any team in the league. We’ll see if they can keep the momentum going Friday night in Orlando.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Toronto’s 111-82 victory on Wednesday wasn’t even as close as the score suggests. Outside of a few runs when the Raptors got themselves into a bit of foul trouble, Orlando didn’t have an answer for Toronto’s up-tempo, aggressive style of play. The Dinos covered easily as 11-point favourites and opened as 4-point road favourites for Game 3. They’ve since moved to -4.5.
Orlando had won and covered if five consecutive games before Wednesday’s setback and was a solid home bet during the regular season at 23-17-1 against the spread. Toronto was 26-15 straight up as visitors, but just 20-21 against the number in those contests. The Raptors and Magic have now played under the posted total in five of their last six meetings.
Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry knew he had to bounce back after a scoreless series opener and he was the straw that stirred the drink for the Raps in Game 2, finishing with 22 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Kawhi Leonard is showing just how dominant he can be at both ends of the floor in this series too. He had 37 points, four assists, four rebounds, and two steals despite being limited to 33 minutes because of foul trouble. Leonard was also a team-best plus-37 on Wednesday. It certainly looks like Toronto’s load management strategy with Leonard is paying off when it matters most.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are going to have to find some more scoring threats if they’re going to hang with Toronto. Terrance Ross and Aaron Gordon combined for six treys and 35 points in Game 2, but the Magic are finding it very difficult to get buckets in the paint. Centre Nikola Vucevic, who averaged 20.8 points and 12 rebounds per game in the regular season, scored just six points and had four turnovers and three fouls in 25 minutes of work before hitting the pine when the game got out of hand on Wednesday. The 7-footer now has just 17 points in this series.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 17 Apr 11:06am | TOR | -4 -110 | O +210 -110 |
| Closing 19 Apr 8:19pm | TOR | -6.5 -115 | O +211 -110 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
| 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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| 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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TORONTO RAPTORS
106 -
ORLANDO MAGIC
98
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 17 Apr 11:06am TOR -4 -110 O +210 -110 Closing 19 Apr 8:19pm TOR -6.5 -115 O +211 -110 -
Injuries
Fred 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 / 19Jonathan 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 / 19Injuries
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.
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.