The revamped Toronto Raptors will look to unleash their newest toy in Marc Gasol when they host the Brooklyn Nets in their first home game after the trade deadline. The Raptors have had a pretty good track record when hosting the Nets in the T-Dot as Toronto has won seven straight home games vs Brooklyn and covered the spread in four of them. The Nets aren’t the pushover they used to be but have failed to cover in their last three games as a double-digit underdog.
The Raptors opened as 10.5-point favorites with a total of 229 (since moved to 226.5).
- The Nets are 0-3 SU and ATS in 3 games this season as a double-digit underdog.
- The Raptors are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games vs the Nets.
- The total has gone UNDER in Toronto’s last five games (avg. combined score: 214).
Are The Nets Good Enough To Keep This Game Close?
The Nets have the talent now to keep any game close but this might be a bad matchup for them. Losers of five of their last seven games on the road and five of their last seven overall, the Nets are still clinging to postseason hopes even though they are only 2.5 games back of dropping out of the playoffs altogether. Brooklyn’s offense has fallen off a cliff over the last 10 games as the Nets are averaging 111 points per game (ranked 17th) while their shooting has been atrocious as evidenced by a 31.6 percent mark from three (ranked 26th) and 42.7 percent from the field, which is second-last in the NBA over that span.
The Nets are trying to reincorporate two key cogs into the lineup as both Caris LeVert and Allen Crabbe have returned from injury and both of those guys can fill up the scoresheet when they’re on. Brooklyn will need all the help it can get because it hasn’t fared well as a double-digit underdog lately. The Nets have gone 0-3 SU and ATS in three games this season as a dog of 10 points or more and, as mentioned, haven’t won in Toronto in seven tries since February 2015 (average loss margin: 14.5 points).
Raptors Have Come Through for Spread Bettors vs Nets
Winners of four straight while overhauling the roster on the fly, the Raptors are showing they have pushed all of their chips to center and are going all-in on this season. The acquisition of Marc Gasol gives Toronto the lineup flexibility to match up with any team in the NBA and although they only won by five points over the Knicks in Gasol’s debut, the flashes of what they can be were on full display.
Speaking of the roster, everyone is expected to be on Toronto’s bench tonight, which could be bad news for the Nets. The Raps are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games in this matchup and as mentioned haven’t lost to the Nets at home in nearly four years. The Raptors also have the sixth-best point differential in home games while only turning the ball over 13.6 times, which also ranks sixth in the NBA.
I’m dying to take the Raptors to win and cover the spread but I’m leery of double-digit spreads even though Toronto has won and covered in its last three games in that spot. Take the Raps at this spot but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Is Another UNDER in Store for a Raptors Game?
The total opened at 229 (since moved to 226.5) and although the total is dropping by the minute, the UNDER may still be the profitable angle. The Raptors have been rewarding UNDER bettors lately as the UNDER has hit in their last five games with an average combined score of 214, and a similar mark has occurred with them playing in Toronto with the UNDER cashing in the Raptors’ last five home games with an average combined score of 215.
My Pick Is…
To take the Raptors to cover the spread and to take the UNDER on separate bets. Double-digit spreads for top-end teams have scared me lately but this is a matchup the Raptors should exploit. They’re the better overall team, have a huge point differential at home and have beaten the Nets by an average of 14.8 points in the last seven home games in this matchup.
