Raptors vs. Nets Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
-
Jeremy Perry
The Toronto Raptors just defeated one of their central competitors in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. A big fourth quarter propelled them to a win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Now they’ll go on the road in what should be a much easier matchup.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Raptors did cover the spread in their 113-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in a widely anticipated Eastern Conference duel on Wednesday. The Raptors increased their regular-season hold on first place in the Eastern Conference and added to the belief that when the playoffs begin in the middle of April, they will be the No. 1 seed in the East. The NBA Finals might once again have to go through Toronto, even if the Finals themselves have not yet been held on Canadian soil.
Toronto is 21-5 this season. The Raptors, however, are still under .500 against the spread at 12-13-1.
Brooklyn is in the midst of a tailspin. The Nets have lost eight in a row after coming up just short against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday at home. The Thunder won, 114-112. The Nets are 8-18 on the season, 11-15 against the spread. However, the Nets were once 8-10 – in the hunt for the eighth playoff spot in the East – before this eight-game losing streak has completely derailed their plans. In the last four games alone, the Nets have suffered three absolutely brutal losses: two by two points and a third in overtime.
Toronto Raptors
Kawhi Leonard is playing well, and he hit 13 of 24 shots in Wednesday’s win over Philadelphia, but he is getting a lot of help from his teammates.
The Raptors’ defence forced 21 turnovers against the 76ers. Toronto held Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons to a combined 18 points, a spectacular performance at the defensive end. Toronto also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds. The Raptors do everything well, and this is why they are at the top of the East and one of the foremost contenders for the NBA title.
Leonard, who scored 36 against the Sixers, was helped by Jonas Valanciunas’ 26 points off the bench and Serge Ibaka’s 18. Kyle Lowry scored just seven points, but this is the beauty of the Raptors: Someone always steps up to help with many different guys contributing each night.
The Raptors are 4-1 in their last five games. They lost by three to the Denver Nuggets, who are in the top tier of Western Conference teams. They beat the Golden State Warriors in overtime. Their other three wins in their past five were decided by eight points or more. Toronto scores 116.4 points per game and allows 108.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets made just 15 threes against Oklahoma City on Wednesday, but it still wasn’t enough to win. Brooklyn got toasted by Paul George for 47 points. The Nets were lucky in that Oklahoma City missed 11 free throws, so this game could have been more lopsided in the Thunder’s favor. Brooklyn’s defence was not as effective as OKC’s 43-percent shooting clip might suggest.
Brooklyn is 3-10 at home. The Nets score 108.7 points per game and allow 111.1.
