The Toronto Raptors appear to be embracing the grind of the NBA playoffs – finally. After years of being pushed around in the post-season, the Dinos have flipped the switch over the last two games, owning the ball and defending their bucket against the Orlando Magic to help them take a 2-1 series lead heading into Sunday afternoon’s Game 4 at the Amway Centre.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Raptors opened as 4-point road favourites in Game 3, but that line swelled to -6.5 before the tip, which left a lot of procrastinating supporters unhappy as Toronto won 98-93. You might be wise to get your action in early again for Sunday’s matchup if you like the Raps in this spot. Toronto opened at -5.5 and that line could grow as well.

It looked like covering the number wouldn’t be an issue midway through the fourth quarter of Game 3 as Toronto stretched its lead to 17, but a late run by the Magic cut into the final score significantly. It goes without saying that Orlando will be desperate to avoid a 3-1 hole heading back to Toronto, so a first half bet on the home side (+2.5) might be worth a look.

Toronto Raptors

Kawhi Leonard didn’t practice for two days before Friday’s game as he was battling an illness, but that didn’t stop him from putting his stamp on the game. He scored 16 points and grabbed 10 boards and was a major factor on defence in 37 minutes of work despite being under the weather. It’s that type of effort that you haven’t always seen from Raptors superstars in the playoffs. Meanwhile, it’s becoming obvious that Toronto has another budding star in Pascal Siakam. The 25-year-old, 6-foot-9 forward led the team with 30 points and 11 rebounds in Game 2 and gives the Raptors a consistent intensity on the floor. One very telling stat: he has touched the ball 209 times so far in this series and has just one turnover. He only started playing organized hoops seven years ago and is now a shoo-in for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.

Orlando Magic

The Magic didn’t have a lot of easy looks in Game 2, although that in itself isn’t an excuse for their terrible shooting performance. They shot just 36 percent from the floor and 29.5 percent from outside. Even though Nikola Vucevic was a force with 22 points and 14 rebounds and Terrance Ross stayed hot with 24 points and five treys, the Magic didn’t get much of anything from anyone else. If Orlando didn’t make 23 trips to the charity stripe (converting on 22 of those attempts) compared to just 10 foul shots from Toronto, this game wouldn’t have been nearly as close.

RAPTORS

Away

104

MAGIC

Home

96

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