It’s been a long climb out of the NBA gutter for Brooklyn and the team is close to securing its first playoff berth since 2015. But the Nets are in danger of losing that spot if they don’t start winning more.
The task to right the ship doesn’t get easier on Wednesday when they welcome Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors to the Barclays Center.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Raptors are outright winners in four straight games and 3-0 against the spread in their last three trips to hardwood. Toronto is coming off a 121-109 win over the Orlando Magic as a 6.5-point home favourite.
The Drakes own a +78 point differential during their four-game win streak and that’s with Leonard sitting out two games over the same period. The club has the third most away wins in the league with 24, but is just 17-20-1 ATS away from the T.dot. Even worse, the Dinos are 8-14-1 against the number as road chalk.
Toronto’s offence is clicking again. The team is averaging 118.5 points during its last eight games and the Over is 6-2-1 in its last nine outings.
Brooklyn is going through a particularly cruel section of its schedule. The Nets are 1-3 straight up in their last four games but they’re still 5-2 ATS in their last seven contests.
The club has had some luck in recent meetings against the Raptors. The Nets are 3-1 against the number in their last four games against the Drakes including a two-point loss at Toronto in February as 10-point underdogs.
Toronto Raptors
Marc Gasol isn’t putting up big numbers for Toronto but the big man is definitely making an impact for his new team. The longtime Memphis Grizzlies’ pivot has spearheaded the Raptors improvement at the defensive end of the floor.
The Raptors have climbed from eighth to third in net defensive rating since they acquired the former Defensive Player of the Year winner.
Gasol’s on/off numbers speak for themselves. Over the last 15 games, the Raptors are outscoring their opponents by 16.1 points per 100 possessions with Gasol on the court and they’re a -1.2 points per 100 with the big man on the bench.
Brooklyn Nets
Toronto fans will get a good look at Pascal Siakam’s main competition for this year’s MIP award. D’Angelo Russell leads the Nets in scoring, assists, steals and attempted 3-pointers per game. The fourth-year point guard made his first All-Star team this year and he seems like a sound building block for the franchise as it moves forward.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 3 Apr 2:21pm | TOR | -1.5 -110 | O +226 -110 |
| Closing 3 Apr 11:00pm | TOR | -2.5 -105 | O +228.5 -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)
Ed Davis (C)
Ed Davis (C)
Jared Dudley (SF)
Joe Harris (SF)
DeMarre Carroll (SF)
Treveon Graham (SF)
Shabazz Napier (PG)
Allen Crabbe (SG)
Shabazz Napier (PG)
DeMarre Carroll (SF)
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 | + - |
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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 | + - |
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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 | + - |
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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 | + - |
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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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ed Davis (C) | Out Tues | Ankle - 18 / 04 / 19 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Davis has a right ankle sprain and will not be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
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| Ed Davis (C) | Prob Mon | Ankle - 14 / 04 / 19 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Davis suffered a sprained right ankle but is likely to be ready for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
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| Jared Dudley (SF) | Prob Thurs | Calf - 14 / 04 / 19 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Dudley is bothered by right calf tightness but is likely to be available for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
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| Joe Harris (SF) | Prob Sat | Foot - 09 / 04 / 19 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Harris is dealing with right foot soreness but it is likely he will play against the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| DeMarre Carroll (SF) | Prob Sat | Wrist - 07 / 04 / 19 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Carroll has a right wrist sprain but it is expected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
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| Treveon Graham (SF) | Ques Thurs | Shoulder - 28 / 03 / 19 | 6-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Graham is experiencing soreness in his left shoulder and it is unknown if he will suit up against the 76ers on Thursday. |
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| Shabazz Napier (PG) | Prob Thurs | Illness - 19 / 03 / 19 | 9-6 | 8-7 | + - |
|
Napier has been held out of the last three games due to an illness but is likely to face the 76ers on Thursday. |
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| Allen Crabbe (SG) | out for season | Knee - 15 / 03 / 19 | 9-8 | 8-9 | + - |
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Crabbe underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the season. |
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| Shabazz Napier (PG) | Ques Tues | Hamstring - 13 / 03 / 19 | 10-8 | 8-10 | + - |
|
Napier has been absent from the lineup during the previous three games with tightness in his right hamstring. It is unknown whether he will return Tuesday against the Kings. |
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| DeMarre Carroll (SF) | Prob Sat | Knee - 11 / 03 / 19 | 10-9 | 8-11 | + - |
|
Carroll missed the last game due to a hyperextended left knee but is likely to take the court against the Jazz on Saturday. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 3 Apr 2:21pm TOR -1.5 -110 O +226 -110 Closing 3 Apr 11:00pm TOR -2.5 -105 O +228.5 -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 / 19Ed Davis (C)
Out Tues Ankle - 18 / 04 / 19Ed Davis (C)
Prob Mon Ankle - 14 / 04 / 19Jared Dudley (SF)
Prob Thurs Calf - 14 / 04 / 19Joe Harris (SF)
Prob Sat Foot - 09 / 04 / 19DeMarre Carroll (SF)
Prob Sat Wrist - 07 / 04 / 19Treveon Graham (SF)
Ques Thurs Shoulder - 28 / 03 / 19Shabazz Napier (PG)
Prob Thurs Illness - 19 / 03 / 19Allen Crabbe (SG)
out for season Knee - 15 / 03 / 19Shabazz Napier (PG)
Ques Tues Hamstring - 13 / 03 / 19DeMarre Carroll (SF)
Prob Sat Knee - 11 / 03 / 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 Ed Davis (C) Out Tues Ankle - 18 / 04 / 19 0-3 2-1 + - Davis has a right ankle sprain and will not be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Ed Davis (C) Prob Mon Ankle - 14 / 04 / 19 1-3 2-2 + - Davis suffered a sprained right ankle but is likely to be ready for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Jared Dudley (SF) Prob Thurs Calf - 14 / 04 / 19 1-3 2-2 + - Dudley is bothered by right calf tightness but is likely to be available for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Joe Harris (SF) Prob Sat Foot - 09 / 04 / 19 3-3 2-4 + - Harris is dealing with right foot soreness but it is likely he will play against the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
DeMarre Carroll (SF) Prob Sat Wrist - 07 / 04 / 19 4-3 3-4 + - Carroll has a right wrist sprain but it is expected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Treveon Graham (SF) Ques Thurs Shoulder - 28 / 03 / 19 6-6 6-6 + - Graham is experiencing soreness in his left shoulder and it is unknown if he will suit up against the 76ers on Thursday.
Shabazz Napier (PG) Prob Thurs Illness - 19 / 03 / 19 9-6 8-7 + - Napier has been held out of the last three games due to an illness but is likely to face the 76ers on Thursday.
Allen Crabbe (SG) out for season Knee - 15 / 03 / 19 9-8 8-9 + - Crabbe underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Shabazz Napier (PG) Ques Tues Hamstring - 13 / 03 / 19 10-8 8-10 + - Napier has been absent from the lineup during the previous three games with tightness in his right hamstring. It is unknown whether he will return Tuesday against the Kings.
DeMarre Carroll (SF) Prob Sat Knee - 11 / 03 / 19 10-9 8-11 + - Carroll missed the last game due to a hyperextended left knee but is likely to take the court against the Jazz on Saturday.