The Brooklyn Nets enter the weekend on a roll – but games against Toronto and Philadelphia should provide a true test of where they stand in the Eastern Conference. The Nets head to Scotiabank Arena on Saturday for a date with the defending-champion Raptors before returning home Sunday to host a Philadelphia 76ers team that knocked them out of last year's playoffs.
- Date/Time: December 14, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Scotiabank Arena
- TV Coverage: YES, TSN
- Sportsbook Odds: Toronto -7.5 | O/U 219.5
- Nets vs Raptors Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
This marks the first time in nine meetings that the Raptors haven't been favored by double digits at home against the Nets; they went 8-0 SU and 4-4 ATS in the previous eight encounters.
Brooklyn Nets News & Notes
With Philadelphia, Boston and Toronto all looking like contenders in the East, Brooklyn wasn't given much of a shot as the fourth-best team in the Atlantic Division. But the Nets have eight wins over their previous 11 games (while also going 8-3 ATS) and have their defense to thank for most of that success; Brooklyn has ranked 10th in points allowed over that span (106.3).
The most impressive part of the Nets' unlikely run is that they've put it together without point guard Kyrie Irving, who hasn't played since mid-November and hasn't yet been cleared for contact. Irving, who is dealing with a shoulder impingement, is off to a great start with the Nets, averaging 28.5 points, 7.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds over his first 11 games.
Toronto Raptors News & Notes
The Raptors' crumbling defense is puzzling, especially with the team relatively healthy (though standout guard Fred VanVleet is doubtful to play Saturday.) Following a seven-game winning streak during which the Raps limited opponents to fewer than 100 points on five occasions, they've allowed 110+ in four of their past five – and unsurprisingly, they lost all four of those games.
And while they get things sorted out on D, they'd also like to see better efficiency from their leading scorer. Pascal Siakam was a revelation early in the season but has regressed, at least when it comes to his shooting. Siakam has been held below his season scoring average in six of his past seven games while shooting below 40 percent four times over that span.
Betting Pick: UNDER
The Nets have come a long way defensively, while the Raptors' recent struggles on D appear more like a blip than a long-term concern – so we like the UNDER.
- Brooklyn is 1-15 SU in its last 16 games against Toronto.
- Toronto is 12-6 ATS in its last 18 games vs. Eastern Conference opponents.
- Brooklyn is 5-1 ATS in its last six games.
