Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Toronto Raptors winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.
The Toronto Raptors were second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 46-18 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Raptors winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.
Toronto Raptors season recap
The Raptors were cruising through the regular season in defense of the franchise’s first NBA Championship title, won a year ago. The free-agent loss of SF Kawhi Leonard was hardly noticeable as the Raptors were 23-9 at home and also 23-9 on the road. They were 8-4 in the Atlantic Division and 30-10 in the Eastern Conference with a point differential of plus-6.5, ranking second in the conference.
Toronto was also dominant from a betting perspective. The Raps were 35-28-1 against the spread at the time play was paused. They covered the spread by a league-best 3.3 points per game (PPG). While averaging 113.0 PPG with 106.5 PPG against, the Raptors were 34-29-1 against the Over/Under, but covered the number by just 0.1 PPG.
PF Pascal Siakam made the biggest improvements in the post-Leonard world. He was averaging a career-best 23.6 PPG in his fourth NBA season. Five other players – PG Kyle Lowry, SG Fred VanVleet, SG Norman Powell, C Serge Ibaka and SF OG Anunoby – also averaged double digits. Ibaka led the way with 8.3 rebounds per game.
Looking to place a bet on the NBA Championship? Get some action on it at BetMGM. Bet Now!
Despite winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2018-19 and sitting second in the Eastern Conference through 64 games played this season, the Raptors share the sixth-best 2019-20 championship odds with the Denver Nuggets at +2200. A $10 bet on the Raptors to go back-to-back would return a profit of $220 while the same wager on the Los Angeles Lakers (+250) – the favorite – would fetch a profit of just $25.
The value is right for the RAPTORS (+2200) to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship with the third-best odds of all remaining Eastern Conference teams.
Toronto Raptors Eastern Conference odds
The Raptors are +750 to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year. The Milwaukee Bucks are the conference favorites at a lowly -159 and the Boston Celtics share the +750 odds.
A $10 bet here on the Raptors would only result in a profit of $75, but bettors should jump at this bet. Back the RAPTORS (+750) to win the Eastern Conference as the best value bet on the board.
Get some action on the NBA Championship by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Toronto’s Pascal Siakam and Boston’s Jayson Tatum both had breakout years in 2019-20 — but which of the two is the better player?
While one had their supernova moment of the 2019-20 NBA season early, and the other had it late, budding star forwards Pascal Siakam and Jayson Tatum both took big steps forward this season.
Serious questions had clouded the ceilings of both of these young, dynamic wing players — questions that have since been answered for the most part.
Both appeared on course to be at minimum solid starters in the league with potential for stardom, and each flashed signs of becoming something even greater.
But one has separated himself just a bit from the other — which of the pair is it, and what has made them the higher-ceilinged prospect?
Watch the video embedded above from the staff over at BBallBreakdown; they have assembled a compelling video breakdown discussing the steps forward both players have made this season, and weigh in on which of the pair is better now — and likely going forward.
The Bell Ringer Podcast returns to talk Philadelphia 76ers basketball with an interesting topic of Ben Simmons or Pascal Siakam?
The Bell Ringer Podcast returns with hosts Ky Carlin and Cameron Fields getting back at it to discuss all things Sixers. Tuesday’s episode focuses on some interesting topics surrounding the team as a hypothetical trade involving Tobias Harris going to the Sacramento Kings floated around on Monday and there was also an intriguing re-draft option.
The Sixers selected Ben Simmons first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, but in a re-draft, the Sixers selected Pascal Siakam rather than Simmons. Other topics discussed were former coach Larry Brown’s comments on Simmons and Joel Embiid as well as NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s call with the playoffs.
As always leave your thoughts with us on Twitter and we thank you for listening. We are now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify as well so make sure you check out past episodes! We will continue to add new episodes whenever we can and when basketball does eventually return, we will ramp up our efforts to bring you basketball content. [lawrence-related id=30898,30888,30882]
In a re-draft of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Pascal Siakam rather than Ben Simmons.
The Philadelphia 76ers had luck on their side in 2016 as they on the draft lottery and the right to select LSU star Ben Simmons first overall. They had their second star next to Joel Embiid and they could move forward as a franchise. Since then, the two have been All-Star teammates twice and they have come to within a game of the Eastern Conference Finals all while still being so young.
However, if the franchise could re-do things, would they do it differently?
In a 2016 re-draft done by Bleacher Report, they actually have the Sixers selecting Pascal Siakam first overall with Simmons going to the Los Angeles Lakers with the next pick.
B/R on Siakam:
Pascal Siakam trails Ben Simmons in career win shares, box plus-minus and value over replacement player (VORP), three catch-all metrics that have considerable sway over the order of these re-drafts.
But he’s second among 2016 picks in all three, and he’s such a different type of player than Simmons that blind statistical comparison doesn’t settle the discussion in Simmons’ favor. More than that, Siakam’s leaps over the last two seasons have him in a place where, today, at this very moment, he’s more valuable to a team with title aspirations.
Throw out the fact that Siakam already has a ring as a second/third option. That’s helpful to his case, but the reason he comes off the board first has more to do with his game’s scaleability and weakness-free makeup.
Having proved in 2019-20 that he’s now a viable go-to scorer (an incredible evolution considering Siakam was, as recently as two years ago, a dependent offensive player who scored on spoon-fed spot-ups and in transition), Siakam is the kind of threat to whom defenses must devote their full attention. In stark contrast, smart opponents ignore Simmons whenever he’s not running in transition.
Here’s the thing that makes this so complicated. Is Simmons a better player? Probably, but Siakam is a popular pick right now due to the leaps he has been able to make recently. While Simmons has made huge leaps on the defensive end, his lack of a jump shot is something that is a glaring weakness in his game.
In his first season as “the man” with the Toronto Raptors, Siakam is averaging 23.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 35.9% from deep on 6.0 attempts per game all while being 6-foot-9 and being able to make plays off the dribble. Those are the type of numbers and skills that make him valuable to a contending team right now. The thought of Siakam next to Embiid is a very interesting idea. [lawrence-related id=30855,30847,30828]
HoopsHype ranks the 20 players with the best winning percentages in NBA history, including Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Winning in the NBA isn’t easy… for most players. For others, it’s almost a second nature. Some of the players on our upcoming list were the primary reasons their teams won so much, while others were excellent complementary pieces through their tenures as basketball professionals while others still were simply players lucky enough to be a part of the ride. What’s interesting is that the player coming up No. 1 on our rankings, ahead of so many legends, is still in the midst of his prime and could rise even higher than everyone else or fall from the top spot before his career is over.
Below, the 20 winningest players in NBA history based on win percentage (minimum: 250 games played):
Brazilian big man Tiago Splitter spent the majority of his prime as a role player with the San Antonio Spurs, which is where his high winning percentage comes from.
Splitter spent five seasons in San Antonio, often starting games for them alongside another big man who will come up later on our list.
An NBA champion once, in 2013-14, Splitter averaged 8.3 points and 5.3 rebounds over five seasons with the Spurs and would go on to play just 44 games after his time with San Antonio.
The muscle behind all of those elite Golden State Warriors of the mid- to late-2010s, Draymond Green played a huge role in the dynasty out of California, defending, rebounding and playmaking at an extremely high level for a team that was missing toughness prior to his arrival.
Green, a three-time NBA champion, three-time All-Star and one-time Defensive Player of the Year, was instrumental to a lot of the winning that went on in Golden State, even if he usually doesn’t get much credit for his contributions outside of his instigating.
Green actually would rank higher on this list if it were not for the fact that he is the only healthy Warriors star playing games this season when they own the league’s worst record.
18. TOM SANDERS: 69.7 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 62.3 percent
Better known as “Satch” in his heyday, he spent 13 seasons as a member of the Boston Celtics, winning an astounding eight titles during his time there. Sanders, a 2013 Hall-of-Fame inductee, wasn’t much of a scorer for Boston, but his defense and rebounding were important for the Celtics dynasty of the 1960s and early ’70s.
After his playing career, Sanders became the first African-American head coach in Ivy League history with Harvard and even had a brief stint as coach of the Celtics, though a 2-12 start to the 1977-78 season led to his dismissal.
17. DENNIS RODMAN: 69.8 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 68.6 percent
Remembered fondly for his funky hair colors and on-court extracurriculars, Dennis Rodman was a rebounding machine for two of the greatest teams of all time, the late-1980s Detroit Pistons and the second threepeat Chicago Bulls, winning five NBA titles throughout his Hall-of-Fame 14-year career.
Rodman led the league in rebounding seven straight years throughout his prime, putting up 6.4 points and 16.7 rebounds (!) nightly over that stretch. Far from just a rebounder, though, Rodman made eight All-Defense teams (seven 1st Teams) and won Defensive Player of the Year twice before hanging them up following the 1999-00 season.
A teammate of Green’s with Golden State, Klay Thompson is likewise a good defender, but he makes his money more on the perimeter, knocking down triple after triple for various title-winning Warriors squads.
For his career, Thompson ranks fourth among high volume three-point marksmen (minimum: 3,000 attempts) in outside accuracy, hitting 41.9 percent of his three-pointers since reaching the NBA. Thompson also has three NBA titles to his name, as well as one 2nd Team All-Defense, proving that he’s more than just a shooter.
15. JIM LOSCUTOFF: 70.3 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 66.7 percent
A no-nonsense hard-nosed forward for the Celtics from 1955 to 1964, Jim Loscutoff was part of seven title winners in Boston throughout his nine-year career.
Loscutoff didn’t put up big numbers whatsoever, averaging 6.2 points and 5.6 rebounds for his career, but alongside a Hall-of-Fame center coming up soon on our list, he helped turn the Celtics into a defensive juggernaut and dynasty they became during his time there.
14. FRANK RAMSEY: 70.5 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 64.9 percent
Frank Ramsey was a teammate of Loscutoff’s for most of his career, suiting up for Boston from 1954 to 1964 (except for the 1955-56 season, a campaign that Ramsey missed due to military service) and winning seven titles in an eight-year stretch.
Ramsey is often credited as one of the NBA’s original Sixth Man, a player talented enough to start for most teams, but who was willing to come off the bench for the greater good knowing that he would close games on most nights. For his winning impact and contributions off the bench for a dynasty in Boston, Ramsey was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2006.
One of the fastest rising players in basketball over the past two seasons, Pascal Siakam went from being a decent-but-limited reserve in 2017-18 for the Toronto Raptors to averaging 19.8 points and 7.1 boards over the two campaigns since then.
Siakam, a first-time All-Star in 2019-20, was vital to Toronto’s championship run of 2018-19, manning the frontcourt alongside the player coming up at No. 1 on this list, terrorizing foes in transition and defending multiple positions ably and admirably.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
12. TONY PARKER: 71.1 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 60.6 percent
Parker, who made 2nd Team All-NBA three times throughout his playing days, even has a Finals MVP to his name, which proves his importance to the operation in San Antonio. He received the award after the 2007 Finals, one that saw him average 24.5 points (on 56.8 percent shooting) and 5.0 rebounds in a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
11. BILL RUSSELL: 71.7 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 64.8 percent
In his 13-year career, Bill Russell won a still-league-record 11 championships – and was the driving force behind all of those titles. Russell led the league in rebounding five times throughout his playing days, averaging 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds for his career.
To this day, Russell ranks second all-time in rebounds with an unfathomable 21,620 boards and would likely rank pretty high up there in total blocks, too, if they were a recorded stat in his prime. Russell won five MVP awards in his 13 seasons, was either 1st or 2nd Team All-NBA 11 times and earned Hall-of-Fame honors in 1975 for his incredible contributions to the sport.
10. SAM JONES: 71.9 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 64.9 percent
Like a lot for the aforementioned Celtics of the dynasty years, most of Sam Jones’ seasons ended with hoisting a championship trophy. Jones played 12 seasons for Boston and won titles in 10 of them, playing the role of perimeter scorer for the team in green.
Jones had a seven-year stretch where he averaged 21.5 points nightly and still ranks seventh in Celtics history in total points scored with 15,411. He also earned All-Star honors five times in his career, 2nd Team All-NBA three times and was named a Hall-of-Famer in 1984.
9. TIM DUNCAN: 71.9 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 62.5 percent
Like Russell in Boston, Tim Duncan was the engine behind the Spurs dynasty which won five NBA championships over a 15-year stretch. Duncan’s defensive prowess, rebounding tenacity and low-block scoring touch made him a truly special big man – and arguably the greatest power forward of all time.
Duncan ranks 14th in league history in points scored (26,496), sixth in total rebounds (15,091) and fifth in blocks (3,020) after averaging 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks for his 19-year career.
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
8. MANU GINOBILI: 72.1 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 61.9 percent
Duncan’s teammate for most of his career, Manu Ginobili had the talent to start for just about any team in his prime but was selfless enough to come off the bench for the Spurs, where he became one of the greatest sixth men in NBA history.
Over a seven-season stretch between 2004-05 and 2010-11, Ginobili averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.7 three-pointers per contest, shooting 45.4 percent from the floor, and in two separate occasions, he actually outpaced Duncan in overall win shares for the campaign.
As if we needed more proof of Ginobili’s impact to winning: only the Argentinian 2-guard and Hall-of-Famer/New York Knicks legend Bill Bradley can claim to have earned an Olympic gold, a Euroleague title and at least one NBA championship in their careers.
7. TOMMY HEINSOHN: 72.6 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 66.3 percent
Yet another player from the Celtics dynasty of the ’50s and ’60s, Tommy Heinsohn won eight titles in his nine-year career and played a major part in those championships.
Heinsohn averaged 18.6 points and 8.8 rebounds nightly throughout his playing days, made six All-Star teams and was named 2nd Team All-NBA four years in a row from 1961 through 1964, proving that he was much more than just a role player.
6. DANNY GREEN: 72.7 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 61.3 percent
A three-point shooting defensive specialist at 2-guard, Danny Green has been on a playoff team every year of his career, from his time with the Cavaliers, Spurs and Raptors.
Green has two titles to his name, one with San Antonio in 2013-14 and one with Toronto last season, and even held the record for most three-pointers made in a Finals series with 27 back in 2013 before Stephen Curry broke the record three years later. For his playoff career, Green is a 39.7 percent three-point shooter and has proven he’s someone you can trust in important games.
Green has actually moved up in these rankings from last year when he had “just” a 72.1 percent win rate. Playing for a 49-14 Lakers team this season probably helps.
5. MICHAEL COOPER: 72.9 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 68.5 percent
Michael Cooper was similar to Green in that he did a whole lot of winning in his career and played the role of a defensive-minded shooting guard, but he did so without providing the floor-spacing that Green did.
At the same time, however, Cooper’s defense far outweighed that of Green’s, as Coop was named to the league’s 1st Team All-Defense five times in his playing days while earning 2nd Team All-Defense three more times. He was even the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1986-87, an extremely difficult honor to achieve for non-big men.
Cooper spent all 12 seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers and won five championships while there, all as a role player for the Showtime years of the franchise alongside a player coming up on our list.
The final player of the early-NBA Celtics dynasty to make our list, KC Jones spent nine seasons in Boston and won a championship in eight of them, all in a consecutive fashion from 1958-59 to 1965-66.
Jones wasn’t much of a scorer, averaging just 7.4 points per game during his playing days, but his tenacity on the defensive end of the floor helped propel the Celtics to the heights they reached. What’s more, he’s one of just seven players in basketball history with an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA championship and an NBA title on their resume.
The guy just knew how to impact games in the win column.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner Sports
3. LARRY BIRD: 73.6 percent
Playoff winning percentage: 60.4 percent
Our first Celtic not from the ’50s or ’60s, Larry Bird suited up for the green-and-white franchise for his entire career from 1979-80 to 1991-92.
In that 13-season span, Bird made 12 All-Star teams, nine 1st Team All-NBA’s and was awarded league MVP three seasons in a row. Oh, and he won three NBA championships throughout his playing days, too.
For his career, Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game and ranks third in Celtics history in points scored (21,791), fourth in rebounds (8,974) and third in assists (5,695). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
Bird’s chief rival throughout his playing days was Magic Johnson, who just outpaces him in career win percentage for the purpose of our rankings. Like Bird, Johnson spent the entirety of his time in the NBA with one team, the Lakers, though he won two more titles than his Celtic rival and just as many league MVP trophies (three).
Johnson led the NBA in assists per game four times in his career and in nightly steals twice, and to this day, ranks fifth in total dimes with 10,141. He’d be higher up that list, too, if not for HIV tragically cutting his career short after the 1990-91 season.
Los Angeles Clippers forward and reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard finishes up our rankings at the No. 1 spot, and he’s done it while suiting up for three different teams for his career, proving that for a lot of the winning he’s done, it has been thanks to him and he wasn’t just along for the ride.
Winning so many games in his career is a credit to Leonard at this point and not just the Spurs, which is easy to see now two years after his departure from San Antonio, as Leonard has won a title since then and the Spurs have barely been in the playoff hunt.
Leonard has already done enough in his career (despite not being close to being done) to be considered one of the greatest two-way players of all time, with much-improved scoring since he entered his prime (24.5-point-per-game average over the last five seasons) and airtight defense that was stout enough to win him two Defensive Player of the Year awards, an honor usually bestowed for big men.
Leonard has two titles to his name already, both of which earned him Finals MVP honors, but if he can win one with his new team in L.A., that might be his most impressive accomplishment considering how long the Clippers have been an afterthought in the NBA prior to his arrival.
HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report.
You can follow Frank Urbina on Twitter: @FrankUrbina_.
Previewing Sunday’s Toronto Raptors at Sacramento Kings sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.
The Sacramento Kings (28-35) host the Toronto Raptors (44-18) in the second game of a back-to-back on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for around 9 p.m. ET at Golden 1 Center. We analyze the Raptors-Kings odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Raptors at Kings: Key injuries
Raptors
PG Fred VanVleet (shoulder) questionable
C Marc Gasol (hamstring) questionable
PF Dewan Hernandez (ankle) out
Kings
PF Marvin Bagley III (foot) out
Raptors at Kings: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 5:00 p.m. ET.
The Raptors (-250) spoiled Stephen Curry’s comeback game for the Golden State Warriors by beating them 121-113 Thursday. Tonight’s game in Sacramento is their fourth game of a five-game Western Conference road trip. The Kings (+200) picked up a huge 123-111 win Saturday at the Portland Trail Blazers.
Sacramento kept close and covered in their first game against the Raptors Nov. 6, losing 124-120. Each team was close to full health in the first one but Toronto could be without two starters that played in that game (Gasol and VanVleet) while the Kings got breakout C Richaun Holmes back last night against the Trail Blazers. He had 10 point sand eight boards in 19 minutes in his first game back and should be reclaiming the starting center position from Harry Giles within a few games.
If anything, I’d say bet the Kings (+200) who have won seven of nine games but the Raptors are 15-1 straight up as a road favorite with a 7.4-point average margin of victory. Plus, Toronto’s non-conference record (14-8) is much better than Sacramento’s (8-15). Officially I say PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.
The trends line up nicely for Sacramento versus Toronto. The Raptors are 6-13 against the spread in the last 19 meetings in Sacramento and 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall. Also, Toronto doesn’t take advantage of having a rest advantage on their opponent as they are 3-11 ATS in such situations.
Furthermore, the Kings are 7-2 ATS, with an 8-point ATS margin per game, on the second game of back-to-backs. Sacramento is 4-0 ATS in their last four games as a home underdog and 5-0 ATS in their last five games playing on zero days.
I LIKE KINGS +5.5 (+100) at home. New to sports betting? Bet $100 on Kings +5.5 to earn a $100 profit if they win or lose by fewer than six points.
Both teams have played to more Overs than Unders this season—Toronto has a 33-28-1 Over/Under record and Sacramento is 33-30 O/U—and both have increased their scoring after the All-Star break. Sacramento went from 107.9 points per game to 115 PPG and Toronto went from 112.9 PPG to 114.3 PPG. Additionally, they’ve each gone Over the projected total in their last three games entering Sunday’s contest.
I am nervous about the Kings’ ability to score on tired legs—they are playing a fourth game in six nights—so it’s only a slight lean on OVER 226.5(-110).
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Stephen Curry’s 23 points in his return from injury wasn’t enough against the defending champion Toronto Raptors.
In a rematch of the 2019 Finals, the Golden State Warriors game against the Toronto Raptors was one of the most anticipated games on the NBA’s slate. Stephen Curry made his long-awaited return to the court after missing the past 58 games.
Yet, the defending NBA champions spoiled Curry’s reunion at Chase Center in San Francisco, 121-113.
The Warriors battled the Eastern Conference playoff-bound Raptors late into the game. However, even with Curry’s help, Golden State could not closeout.
The Dubs cut the Raptors lead to one-point heading into the final period of the game. Yet, the talent of Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry took over the contest. Golden State made it entertaining at the end of the game with a late run with Curry on the floor, but it wasn’t enough.
Lowry and Siakam combined for 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting in the fourth quarter to hold off the gritty Warriors.
The Raptors sealed Golden State’s 10th straight loss at home this season. The Warriors will have the chance to snap their 10-game home losing streak on Saturday when the Philadelphia 76ers come to the Bay Area.
Final 📊
Stephen – 23p/7r/7a Damion – 23p/5r/3a/1s Andrew – 21p/9r/2a/1b Marquese – 17p/12r/4a/2b/1s Eric – 16p/8a/4r Mychal – 8p/3r/1a/1s Dragan – 3p/5r/4a Juan – 2p/5r/3a/1s Jordan – 2r/2a/1b pic.twitter.com/3fZSS3JFFQ
Curry was on a minutes restriction against the Raptors, but the six-time All-Star took advantage of his time back on the court. Curry scored 23 points on 6-of-16 shooting in 27 minutes. Curry added seven assists and six rebounds against the Raptors.
In his return, Curry flashed glimpses of his All-Star caliber play. Whether it was long-distance shooting or crafty passes, the two-time Most Valuable Player looked like his old self on the court.
All-Stars like Siakam and Lowry lead the Raptors, but against the Warriors, Norman Powell arrived. Powell registered a career-high 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting in 38 minutes for the Raptors. The UCLA product added three rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Anytime the Warriors chipped away at Toronto’s lead, Powell answered.
Damion Lee continued his breakout campaign with another solid performance. Lee matched Curry’s total with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting while adding five rebounds and three assists.
Lee had back-to-back chances to keep the Warriors in the game late, but could not convert a pair of free throws. When Marquese Chriss stole an offensive rebound, Lee missed an open 3-pointer to cut Toronto’s lead to three with under a minute remaining.
Previewing Sunday’s Toronto Raptors at Denver Nuggets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis. picks and best bets.
The Toronto Raptors (42-17) visit the Mile High City Sunday to play the Denver Nuggets (40-19) at Pepsi Center at 6 p.m. ET. We analyze the Raptors-Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Raptors at Nuggets: Key injuries
Raptors
PF Serge Ibaka (knee) questionable
SG Fred VanVleet (shoulder) questionable
C Marc Gasol (hamstring) out
PF Dewan Hernandez (ankle) out
Nuggets
PF Paul Millsap (ankle) questionable
PF Noah Vonleh (ankle) questionable
C Bol Bol (foot) out
Raptors at Nuggets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 4:15 p.m. ET.
This is a premier cross-conference matchup featuring the current 2-seed in the Eastern Conference, Raptors (+135), and the Western Conference’s third-seeded, Nuggets -161. Both teams come into this game after rough losses and embarrassing in their own ways. Toronto has dropped back-to-back games, including a 99-96 loss to the lowly Charlotte Hornets, but the Raptors have an excuse as they were without Ibaka and VanVleet.
Denver was handed a 132-103 beatdown by the Los Angeles Clippers in their last game, Friday. Wait on the injury report before betting this game. If the Raptors get their starters back I like them on the moneyline because they are the better team, and paying $161 for a $100 profit with a Nuggets win is poor value.
Let’s gamble on the possible health of Toronto starters and BET RAPTORS +3.5 (-115). They are a better non-conference team against the spread than Denver. The Raptors have an 11-8 ATS record against the West and the Nuggets have a 9-10-3 ATS record versus the East.
Toronto generally bounces back from a loss, going 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS loss. Plus, the Raptors are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA and the Nuggets are mediocre on offense. The Raptors rank first in opponent points per game, second in opponent field-goal percentage and first in opponent 3-point percentage. Denver scores the 20th most points per game and ranks 16th ranked 3-point percentage.
I have a slight lean toward the OVER 217.5 (-110) for several reasons. First, they average a combined 230.2 points per game on Sundays. Second, the Over is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings. Third, the combined Over/Under record of the officiating crew assigned to the game is 74-49 on the season. The one caveat is the banged-up Raptors have played to the Under in five straight games and have failed to score more than 100 points in four of those contests.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Previewing Friday’s Suns-Raptors sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.
The Toronto Raptors (40-15) and Phoenix Suns (22-33) return to action for the first time since the All-Star Break Friday night. The Raptors host the Suns, tipping off Friday night at ScotiaBank Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET.
We analyze the Suns-Raptors odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Suns at Raptor: Key injuries
Suns
F Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
C Deandre Ayton (ankle) probable
C Aron Baynes (hip) probable
G Ellie Okobo (ankle) probable
F Dario Saric (ankle) probable
Raptors
C Marc Gasol (hamstring) out
C Dewan Hernandez (ankle) out
F Patrick McCaw (illness) doubtful
G Norman Powell (finger) doubtful
Suns at Raptors: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 9:52 a.m. ET.
Toronto is the favorite in this game at -334. They are a very good 21-7 at home this season, but the Suns (+260) have been solid on the road, going 11-15 overall. The Raptors have won seven straight at home and the Suns have lost four in a row on the road, but Phoenix is finally healthy. They will have everyone available except for Frank Kaminsky. Phoenix is 8-11 as a road underdog. This is going to be a surprise. Phoenix tends to play up on the road against solid competition.
Fully healthy, expect an upset win by the SUNS at +260. They will get the win and give you a big payout.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Suns returns a profit of $26.
The Raptors are favored at home at -7.5 (-110). The Raptors are 17-11 ATS at home this season, while the Suns have been tough opponents on the road, going 14-12 ATS. When underdogs on the road, they are 11-8 ATS.
Again, with the Suns finally healthy, expect them to go toe-to-toe with the Raptors, who are shorthanded in the frontcourt. Take the Suns to cover at +7.5 (110).
The total is set at 226.5 points. Both teams average 112 points per game. The total is high. Suns’ games have gone Under in three of the final four games before the break. Raptors’ games have gone Over in five of six and seven of nine. However, the two teams will hit right near their average and come up just short of the total. Take the UNDER (+100).
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
If there are some new faces participating in the 2020 All-Star Game that casual basketball fans do not yet recognize, there is a reason.
If there are some new faces participating in the 2020 All-Star Game that casual basketball fans do not yet recognize, there is a reason.
This year (tied with 2002) will feature the most first-time NBA All-Stars since 1994. There will be 10 players that have never before made an All-Star team participating in Chicago this weekend.
Some of the starters in the game (Trae Young, Luka Doncic and Pascal Siakam) are rising stars that had not yet received this honor before this season. Others receiving their debut nods: Bam Adebayo, Brandon Ingram, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Domantas Sabonis and Jayson Tatum.
After a late injury to Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, he was replaced by another first-time All-Star in 23-year-old Devin Booker.
Credit: HoopsHype
With the addition of Booker, the average age for the NBA All-Stars this year is now just 26.89 years old. This is partly due to key injuries suffered by veteran stars like Stephen Curry, Keven Durant as well as Klay Thompson. However, the rapid rise of the aforementioned second-year players Doncic and Young both factor in this historically fresh group as well. In fact, the average age of the squads this season represents the youngest from an All-Star team since 1980. It is also the third-youngest of all-time, according to our research.
The average age this season is a stark difference of 1.82 years younger than the average age of the teams just last season. It is worth noting that marks the largest drop since the All-Star festivities began in 1950.
HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report
