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Charlie Grant
Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
There are many reasons why the Raptors are winning games at a franchise-best rate but none more than how they beat up on the league’s weakest teams. Brooklyn hopes to avoid becoming the most recent sub .500 side to be carved up and devoured by DeMar DeRozan and the Dinos.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Toronto is coming off a 132-106 laugher against the New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon at MSG. The Raptors win streak stands at eight games and they’re 15-1 straight up in their last 16 contests. They’re covering the spread at a 75 percent rate during the hot streak.
The Drakes are 29-2 straight up against losing squads this season and 10-0 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against Brooklyn. They did, however, need overtime get the win when the two sides last met in January. The Nets are losing, but keeping the scores respectable. They’ve won just two games since the start of February but have covered the number in five of their last seven.
Toronto Raptors
Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving will miss some time coming up to rest his knee and combo guard Marcus Smart could be out for a few weeks with a thumb injury. Bad news for Irish fans is good news for basketball fans north of the border. Toronto 3.5 games up on the Celtics and should only extend that lead with Irving and Smart sitting out.
Sports Interaction lists the Raptors (+220) as the second favorite to win the Eastern Conference behind the Cleveland Cavaliers at +120. The No. 1 seed in the East would give the Raptors home-court advantage but it’s no guarantee of a trip to the Finals. The top regular season team from the East has represented the conference in the Finals in just three of the last 15 years.
Brooklyn Nets
What Brooklyn lacks in star power it makes up for with interesting role players and promising youngsters. Any night it could be a different Net leading the team in scoring – even Raptor reject DeMarre Carroll. The Nets’ main threat at the offensive end is their ability to flood the court with ball handlers. D’Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert can all run the offense and find their own shot when things break down.
