The Brooklyn Nets (6-3) will take a trip to the Scotiabank Arena to take on the Toronto Raptors (6-4) Sunday. Tip is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nets at Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
After rough starts to the season, both teams have been surging recently.
The Nets have won four straight, defeating their opponents by 6 or more points in each outing. Brooklyn is led by former MVP F Kevin Durant, who is averaging 28.3 points per game (PPG).
Brooklyn has five players averaging double figures. KD will have his hands full with rising star F OG Anunoby, who has helped keep the Raptors above .500 without All-Star F Pascal Siakam.
Siakam is likely to make his season debut at home against Brooklyn. Rookie F Scottie Barnes and veteran G Fred VanVleet have also had impactful roles for the Raptors.
Nets at Raptors odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Nets -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Raptors +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nets -3.5 (-108) | Raptors +3.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 207.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Nets at Raptors key injuries
Nets
- PG Kyrie Irving (personal) out
Raptors
- PF Pascal Siakam (shoulder) probable
Nets at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Raptors 107, Nets 104
Money line
BET RAPTORS (+125) as they should be able to hold down the Nets’ two most lethal talents. Former MVP James Harden is hitting his stride, but the Raptors are going to have the bodies to toss at both Harden and Durant.
Barnes, Anunoby and Siakam all stand between 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-9 and all also have a 7-foot-2 to 7-foot-3 wingspan. In the backcourt, the Raptors have defensive-minded VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr.
The Raptors have the seventh-best defensive rating and third-best rebounding percentage. They rank No. 1 in offensive rebounding rate. They should be able to expose the Nets on the glass, and they have the length to throw off the Nets’ two stars.
Despite their top-tier scorers, the Nets rank outside the top 20 in offensive rating. I expect a quality defensive team with solid rebounding to out-perform the team that’s yet to show their true upside.
Combine all those reasons, and I’m taking the Raptors.
Against the spread
“LEAN” RAPTORS +3.5 (-112) if you’d rather have a little extra cushion. However, as noted, if the Nets do come out on top, they’ve consistently beat teams by at least half a dozen points.
While I think that trend changes, I’d rather have the value on the money line than with the points for all the reasons above.
Over/Under
BET OVER 207.5 (-112) as the stars should stand out Sunday.
Harden is starting to figure out how to contribute. In the last four games he’s played, Harden has either had a double-double with points and assists or more than 25 points.
Also, the Nets are shooting a tad under 37 percent from 3. Last season, with many of the same personnel, they were above 39 percent. This team can get going offensively.
With Anunoby, Barnes, and Siakam on the other side, the trio of forwards can put points on the board as well. The Nets are just 1-8 on the total which will undoubtedly aid sportsbooks’ reasoning for dropping their total so low.
Per pregame, the line kicked off at 211, suggesting the public is going with the Under. We’ll need to wait to see that data fill out, but right now, it seems like a strong play against the public with the Over.
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