Toronto Raptors odds picks prediction spread over/under betting line – Page 2

Los Angeles Clippers at Toronto Raptors odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Los Angeles Clippers at Toronto Raptors and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Los Angeles Clippers (18-17) square off with the Toronto Raptors (14-17) Friday at the Scotiabank Arena. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Clippers vs. Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Toronto has lost back-to-back games at the Cleveland Cavaliers 144-99 Sunday and to the Philadelphia 76ers 114-109 Tuesday.

Over the past two weeks, the Raptors are 1-2 straight-up (SU), 2-1 ATS, and 3-0 O/U with the 23rd-ranked adjusted net rating at -4.5 points per 100 possessions, according to CleaningTheGlass.com. A couple of Toronto games were postponed due to COVID from Dec. 18-26.

L.A. broke its two-game losing streak Wednesday by beating the Boston Celtics 91-82 as 6-point road underdogs.

The Clippers are 2-4 SU, 3-3 ATS, and 1-5 O/U in the last 14 days with the 22nd-ranked adjusted net rating at -3.9 points per 100 possessions (CTG).

Clippers at Raptors odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:50 p.m. ET.

Money line: Clippers +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Raptors -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Clippers +6.5 (-112) | Raptors -6.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 210.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Clippers at Raptors key injuries

Clippers

PG Reggie Jackson (reconditioning) questionable
SF Paul George (elbow) out
C Ivica Zubac (health and safety protocols) out
SF Nicolas Batum (ankle) out

Raptors

C Precious Achiuwa (reconditioning) probable
C Khem Birch (reconditioning) probable

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Clippers at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Raptors 112, Clippers 101

Money line

PASS because I like Toronto enough to just lay the points and would never bet as NBA regular-season money line favorite as high as the Raptors (-280).

Against the spread

BET 1 unit on the RAPTORS -6.5 (-110) because they have several starters returning from the COVID list such as PG Fred VanVleet, SFs Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby.

VanVleet is in the 100th percentile of point guards in on/off net rating at plus-21.4 points per 100 possessions, Anunoby grades in the 70th percentile of forwards and Barnes in the 60th percentile of forwards.

Toronto has a couple of strength-on-weakness edges in its favor such as ball security and rebounding. For instance, the Raptors are second in both defensive turnover rate and offensive rebounding rate. While the Clippers rank 23rd in offensive turnover rate and 26th in defensive rebounding rate.

Furthermore, Toronto is either first or second in fastbreak points, second-chance points and points off of turnovers per game. On the other hand, L.A. ranks 22nd or worse in all three of those metrics.

BET the RAPTORS -6.5 (-110).

Over/Under

Slight “LEAN” to the OVER 210.5 (-107) for a small wager, if at all, because I prefer Toronto’s spread more so than the total in this game.

That said, the Raptors like to force turnovers that lead to fastbreak points and the Clippers can be clumsy with the ball and all give up the seventh-most fastbreak points per game. Also, Toronto has played to the Over at the highest rate in the NBA and has gone Over the total for the past five games.

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Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Philadelphia 76ers (17-16) travel Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off with the Toronto Raptors (14-16) at Scotiabank Arena. Below, we look at the 76ers vs. Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Philly has alternated between winning and losing over the past four games with the most recent being a 117-96 beatdown of the Wizards in Washington as 4-point road underdogs Sunday.

Over the past two weeks, the Sixers are 2-4 straight-up (SU), 2-4 ATS and 3-3 O/U with the 20th-ranked non-garbage time net rating (minus-3.9 points per 100 possessions), according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).

Toronto got destroyed 144-99 as 9-point road underdogs by the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday, snapping a four-game ATS winning streak.

In the last 14 days, the Raptors are 2-2 SU, 3-1 ATS and 4-0 O/U with the 12th-best non-garbage time net rating (plus-3.7 points per 100 possessions), per CTG. Several Toronto games have been canceled recently due to COVID.

The Raptors upset a Joel Embiid-less Sixers squad 115-109 as 4-point road underdogs Nov. 11, and the Over cashed on a 211.5-point total.

76ers at Raptors odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:10 p.m. ET.

Money line: 76ers -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Raptors +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
Against the spread (ATS): 76ers -6.5 (-110) | Raptors +6.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

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76ers at Raptors key injuries

76ers

SG Danny Green (health and safety protocols) out
PG Shake Milton (health and safety protocols) out
C Andre Drummond (health and safety protocols) out

Raptors

SF Pascal Siakam (reconditioning) questionable
SG Gary Trent (reconditioning) questionable
C Khem Birch (reconditioning) questionable
SG Fred VanVleet (health and safety protocols) out
SF OG Anunoby (health and safety protocols) out
SF Scottie Barnes (health and safety protocols) out

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76ers at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

76ers 115, Raptors 109

Money line

PASS because the absence of Raptors guard Fred VanVleet is too big of a factor for me in this one.

According to CTG, VanVleet grades in the 100th percentile of point guards in on/off net rating (plus-23.1 points per 100 possessions).

On top of that, Toronto could still be without its two leading rebounders in Barnes and Achiuwa, both of which also have positive on/off net ratings.

Against the spread

“LEAN” to the RAPTORS +6.5 (-110) because the Sixers are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite and 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games following a win. Furthermore, Toronto’s style matches up well vs. Philly.

For instance, the Raptors like to get out in transition and crash the glass: Toronto ranks third in second-chance points per game and first in fastbreak points per game. On the other hand, the Sixers give up the fourth-most second-chance points and the second-most fastbreak points per game.

Also, Toronto has done a good job defending Embiid since hiring head coach Nick Nurse in 2018-19. For his career, Embiid averages just 19.6 points per game vs. the Raptors (24.9 PPG career-average) on 40.9% shooting (28.3% from three) with a minus-6 net rating.

However, I can only “LEAN” to the RAPTORS +6.5 (-110) because of the plethora of COVID-related absences and Toronto losing by 45 points its last outing when playing under similar conditions.

Over/Under

BET the OVER 213.5 (-112) because I envision Toronto crashing the glass and pushing the tempo more so in this game since those are weaknesses for Philly.

But, I don’t see how the Raptors stop the Sixers on the other end of the floor. Also, Toronto has gone Over the total in four straight games and the Over is 5-0-2 in Philly’s last seven games as a road favorite.

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If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

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Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Sunday’s Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Toronto Raptors (14-15) visit the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Sunday for a 6 p.m. ET tip-off against the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-13). Below, we look at the Raptors vs. Cavaliers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Toronto has had three of its past four games postponed due to a COVID outbreak but most recently beat the Golden State Warriors 119-100 Dec. 18. The Raptors have won three of their last four and have covered in six of the past seven games.

Cleveland had its six-game winning streak snapped with a 111-101 loss at the Boston Celtics Wednesday as 6.5-point road underdogs. The Cavs covered their previous 14 contests.

The Cavs beat the Raptors 102-101 as 6-point road underdogs in their first meeting this season Nov. 5, and the Under cashed on the 204-point total.

Raptors at Cavaliers odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:15 a.m. ET.

Money line: Raptors +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Cavaliers -410 (bet $410 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Raptors +8.5 (-120) | Cavaliers -8.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 205.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Raptors at Cavaliers key injuries

Raptors

PG Fred VanVleet (health and safety protocols) out
SG Gary Trent (health and safety protocols) out
PF Pascal Siakam (health and safety protocols) out
C Precious Achiuwa (health and safety protocols) out
SF OG Anunoby (health and safety protocols) out
SF Scottie Barnes (health and safety protocols) out

Cavaliers

SF Isaac Okoro (reconditioning) questionable
C Jarrett Allen (health and safety protocols) out
PF Evan Mobley (health and safety protocols) out

Raptors at Cavaliers odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Cavaliers 105, Raptors 92

Money line

PASS since I don’t give Toronto’s G-League squad much of a chance against a Cleveland team that has a lot more of its regular players in the lineup. But, there’s no way I’d tout a Cavaliers (-410) wager either.

Against the spread

“LEAN” to the CAVALIERS -8.5 (-105) since we are getting the worst of the number because Cleveland opened up as a 6.5-point favorite before the early bettors steamed up that line.

Also, the missing Cavs starters are vital to how they operate – so I’m not as confident Cleveland wins by that margin.

However, the absence of Allen and Mobley means more PF Kevin Love minutes, which might not be a bad thing. Especially against this Toronto team playing without most of its normal contributors.

Furthermore, Cleveland’s backcourt of PG Ricky Rubio and SG Darius Garland should really feast in their matchups. Garland is playing at an All-Star level while Toronto’s starting point guard (PG Brandon Goodwin) is playing on a 10-day hardship as a replacement player.

Over/Under

BET the UNDER 205.5 (-112) as my favorite bet in the Raptors-Cavaliers game because this is a Pros vs. Joe’s game for the total.

According to Pregame.com, roughly 90% of the cash is on the Under whereas two-thirds of the bets placed have been on the Over.

Typically, in sports betting, it’s wise to follow the money especially when it’s flowing in the opposite direction as the public.

In my opinion, the people betting the Over are doing so under the flimsy notion that “this total is too low”. But, there’s more logic backing the Under here since teams play at a below-average pace, and the Cavaliers have gone Under the total in five straight games.

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If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

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Toronto Raptors at Golden State Warriors odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Toronto Raptors at Golden State Warriors odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Toronto Raptors (13-15) host the Golden State Warriors (24-5) Saturday at Scotiabank Arena for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at the Raptors vs. Warriors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Golden State held off the Boston Celtics 111-107 for its third straight victory Friday and pushed as a 4-point road favorite.

The Warriors are 5-2 straight-up (SU), 2-4-1 ATS and 2-4-1 O/U with the eighth-best non-garbage time efficiency differential (plus-3.8 points per 100 possessions) over the past two weeks, according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).

Toronto lost a 131-129 nailbiter in overtime to the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday but covered as a 4.5-point road underdog. The Raptors are 3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS and 3-2 O/U with the seventh-best non-garbage time efficiency differential (plus-5.0 points per 100 possessions) in the last 14 days, per CTG.

Golden State smoked Toronto 119-104 as an 8.5-point home favorite in their first meeting this season (Nov. 21) with the Over cashing on a 216.5-point total.

Raptors at Warriors odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:25 a.m. ET.

Money line: Warriors +320 (bet $100 to win $320) | Raptors -420 (bet $420 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Warriors +8.5 (-115) | Raptors -8.5 (-107)
Over/Under (O/U): 203.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Raptors at Warriors key injuries

Raptors

C Precious Achiuwa (health and safety protocols) questionable
SF OG Anunoby (hip) questionable

Warriors (not officially submitted)

PG Steph Curry (rest) out
PF Draymond Green (hip) out
SF Andre Iguodala (knee) out
SG Jordan Poole (health and safety protocols) out
SF Otto Porter (foot) out

Raptors at Warriors odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Raptors 117, Warriors 104

Money line

PASS because this is a “scheduled loss” for the Warriors (+320) but the Raptors (-420) is too outrageously high for any NBA regular-season favorite.

Especially in this current COVID surge that has the league scrambling to keep games playing as scheduled.

However, Golden State played a physical, competitive primetime game Friday and Toronto is coming in off of three days rest.

The Warriors have all but waved the white flag as they announced Curry and Green, amongst others, wouldn’t be active for their game against the Raptors.

Against the spread

“LEAN” to the RAPTORS -8.5 (-107) for a small wager — if at all — because Toronto beat Golden State by 53 points in their second meeting last season and that Warriors squad was more talented than the one that’ll play Saturday.

Golden State was missing Curry for that contest but still had Poole, Wiggins and Green and still got clobbered. Toronto has been playing some good basketball recently and is the far healthier side.

It’s RAPTORS -8.5 (-107) or PASS in this game for me.

Over/Under

TAKE the OVER 203.5 (-110) because even the backups get hit open shots in the NBA and we know Golden State head coach Steve Kerr can scheme up some solid offense even with a bunch of G-League players in the rotation.

However, I do think Golden State’s defense suffers the most with all its missing contributors and we saw Toronto run up the score against the Warriors in a similar spot last season.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and, soon, IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

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Toronto Raptors at Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Toronto Raptors at Brooklyn Nets odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Toronto Raptors (13-14) visit the Barclays Center to play the Brooklyn Nets (19-8) Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Raptors vs. Nets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.

Toronto hammered the Sacramento Kings last night (Monday) for its second straight victory. The Raptors are 4-2 straight-up (SU), 4-2 ATS and 2-4 O/U with the eighth-best non-garbage time efficiency differential over the past two weeks, according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).

Brooklyn has also won two consecutive games with the latest coming on the road, 116-104, vs. the Detroit Pistons Sunday. In the last 14 days, the Nets are 5-2 SU, 3-4 ATS and 2-5 O/U with the 15th-ranked non-garbage time efficiency differential per CTG.

The Nets handled business in a 116-103 victory over the Raptors Nov. 7 in their first meeting of the season, and the Over cashed on a 211-point total. Kevin Durant scored a game-high 31 points on 57.9% shooting with 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA December 14 breakdown

Raptors at Nets odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:50 p.m. ET.

Money line: Raptors +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Nets -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Raptors +5.5 (-112) | Nets -5.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 215.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

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Raptors at Nets key injuries

Raptors

C Precious Achiuwa (health and safety protocols) out
F OG Anunoby (hip) out
C Khem Birch (knee) out

Nets

SF Kevin Durant (ankle) questionable
C LaMarcus Aldridge (illness) out
SG Joe Harris (ankle) out
PF Paul Millsap (health and safety protocols) out

Raptors at Nets odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Nets 110, Raptors 105

Money line

PASS since Brooklyn is obviously the right side, but I wouldn’t lay it with the Nets (-220) or pay that steep of a price for any NBA regular-season favorite for that matter.

Also, I only “lean” to Toronto plus the points and don’t like the Raptors enough in this spot to “sprinkle” on their money line.

Against the spread

“LEAN” to the RAPTORS +5.5 (-112) because I envision this game being a defensive battle (more on that below), and Toronto is the second-best spread differential on the road this year (plus-7.0 ATS margin).

Also, over the past two weeks, the Raptors have stepped up their defense: Toronto ranks third in points per 100 possessions allowed in competitive times during that span (CTG). And Brooklyn has struggled to take care of business vs. elite defenses.

For instance, the Nets are 3-6 SU with a minus-5.3 points efficiency differential and the worst spread differential in the NBA (minus-8.3) vs. teams in the top-10 of defensive efficiency, per CTG.

However, I can only “LEAN” to the RAPTORS +5.5 (-112) because of their lengthy injury report, and Anunoby was the only Toronto player that played good defense vs. KD in the first Raptors-Nets meeting this season.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 215.5 (-110) for 1 unit, because not only has Toronto played better defense recently, but Brooklyn’s defense is very underrated.

In fact, the Nets are seventh in non-garbage time defensive rating (CTG) and have the best defensive effective field goal shooting (eFG%) in the NBA.

On the other hand, the Raptors have the fifth-worst eFG%, are 25th in 3-point attempt rate and have the third-worst offensive FT/FGA rate.

Furthermore, both teams attempt a high volume of mid-range jumpers, but both teams are in the top-10 of defensive shooting percentage vs. mid-range field goals. Plus Brooklyn plays the highest volume of iso-ball, and Toronto has the second-best defensive efficiency vs. isolation offense.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

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New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The New York Knicks (12-13) travel for a 7:30 p.m. ET game against the Toronto Raptors (11-14) at Scotiabank Arena Friday. Below, we look at the Knicks vs. Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.

New York has won just two of its past seven games (6-1 O/U) with the latest being a 122-102 beatdown administered by the Pacers in Indiana. The Knicks are 3-4 ATS over the past two weeks with the 25th-ranked non-garbage time efficiency differential according to CleaningTheGlass.com.

Toronto got upset 110-109 Wednesday at home by the Oklahoma City Thunder as an 8-point favorite. The Raptors are 2-4 overall and 3-3 ATS over the last 14 days with the 22nd-ranked non-garbage time efficiency differential (CtG).

The Raptors smacked around the Knicks 113-104 on the road Nov.1 in their first meeting of the season. The Knicks committed 17 turnovers against 9 for the Raptors and grabbed nearly half as many offensive rebounds (13-7) in the loss.

Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA December 10 breakdown

Knicks 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 2:16 p.m. ET.

Money line: Knicks +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Raptors -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +1.5 (-112) | Raptors -1.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 207.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Knicks at Raptors key injuries

Knicks

C Nerlens Noel (back) probable

Raptors

C Precious Achiuwa (shoulder) questionable
SF OG Anunoby (hip) out

Knicks at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Knicks 112, Raptors 108

Money line

“LEAN” to the KNICKS (+100) for a half-unit wager because both defenses are terrible but New York matches up better with Toronto than vice versa.

The Knicks have the 10th-best average shot quality while the Raptors are 24th in shot quality per CtG. Toronto also attempts the sixth-highest volume of mid-range field goals but New York has the 11th-best defensive field goal percentage versus mid-range attempts.

Furthermore, the Knicks have the seventh-best 3-point shooting percentage while the Raptors are 24th in defensive 3-point shooting percentage.

Toronto gets out in transition at the second-highest frequency in the NBA. However, New York grades in the 82.8th percentile of fastbreak offensive efficiency and the Raptors are in the 24.1st percentile of offensive efficiency in transition.

Against the spread

PASS on the spread because the Knicks +1.5 (-112) is hardly insurance for our New York money line wager.

I’d wait closer to tip-off before making a wager and if the Knicks gets to 2.5 points or higher then I’d prefer to take New York plus the points in this spot.

Over/Under

BET OVER 207.5 (-115) because neither defense can stop a nosebleed at the moment and the Raptors’ fast-paced style well ensure this game gets Over the total. The Over has also cashed in six of the Knicks’ last seven games.

New York’s spotty ball security could help Toronto get a bunch of easy buckets since the Raptors have the second-highest defensive turnover rate in the NBA.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

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Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Sunday’s Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Washington Wizards (14-9) tangle with the Toronto Raptors (10-13) Sunday at Scotiabank Arena with the tip-off set for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Wizards vs. Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.

Washington is 3-3 overall in the last six games (2-4 ATS) with the latest being a 116-101 blowout loss at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday. The Wizards are 12-11 ATS and 10-13 O/U with the 18th-best net rating.

Toronto snapped its three-game losing streak Thursday with a 97-93 home victory over a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks. The Raptors are 9-14 ATS and 12-11 O/U with the 19th-best net rating.

These teams have split the first two meetings of the season with the road team winning and covering both. Also, the Under cashed in the each.

Wizards 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 12:15 p.m. ET.

Money line: Wizards -108 (bet $108 to win $100) | Raptors -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Wizards +1.5 (-120) | Raptors -1.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 211.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Wizards at Raptors key injuries

Wizards

C Thomas Bryant (knee) out
PF Rui Hachimura (personal) out

Raptors

SF OG Anunoby (hip) out
PG Goran Dragic (personal) out

Wizards at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Raptors 107, Wizards 102

Money line

I cannot put my finger on exactly how but the Wizards are due for regression. It’s already kind of happening: Washington is 3-4 overall with the 25th-best efficiency differential and a minus-9.2 ATS margin over the past two weeks (according to CleaningTheGlass.com).

Furthermore, the Wizards have the second-highest win differential at 2.6 (CleaningTheGlass.com) and a minus-0.2 net rating despite a 14-9 overall record. Essentially, Washington has nearly three more wins than it should.

Also, I think the Raptors are due for progression up to the mean at home. For instance, the Raptors are 3-8 overall in Toronto with the 25th-best efficiency differential and the 26th-ranked ATS margin. The Raptors played a weird 2020-21 season with their home games being in Tampa Bay due to COVID.

Perhaps it’s taking time for the Raptors to get readjusted to playing in Jurassic Park?

Finally, it feels like the oddsmakers are laying a trap with the Wizards (-108) and a lot of people are falling for it. The Raptors opened as a -123 consensus favorite (according to Pregame.com) and all the pro-Washington money has made Toronto cheaper.

However, as we’ve already discussed, the Wizards aren’t as good as their record indicates and the RAPTORS (-112) will start to figure it out in Toronto. Plus we’re getting additional value by Toronto being the less popular side.

BET 1 unit on the RAPTORS (-112).

Against the spread

PASS since Toronto’s money line is only seven cents on the dollar more expensive than the Raptors -1.5 (-105).

For what it’s worth, according to Pregame.com, more than three-fourths of the money at the time of publishing is on the Wizards +1.5 (-120).

Over/Under

“LEAN” to the UNDER 211.5 (-107) for a small wager, if at all, because I prefer Toronto’s money line. But, a vast majority of the market is hammering the Over for reasons I’m unclear on.

I see value in the UNDER 211.5 (-107) because both teams play at a bottom-seven pace, the Under has cashed in both Wizards-Raptors meetings earlier this season, neither is a good 3-point shooting team and the officiating crew assigned to this game has a combined 13-22 O/U record on the year.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Milwaukee Bucks (14-8) roll into “Jurassic Park” Thursday to play the Toronto Raptors (9-13) at Scotiabank Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bucks vs. Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.

Milwaukee has won eight straight games since two-time All-Star wing Khris Middleton returned to the lineup. However, the Bucks have only covered in half of those wins and lost ATS in Wednesday’s thrilling 127-125 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Milwaukee is 10-12 ATS and 8-14 O/U.

Toronto is 2-7 overall and ATS in its last nine games and enters on a three-game losing skid with the latest being a 98-91 loss at home versus a Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday. The Raptors are 8-14 ATS and 12-10 O/U.

The Raptors won and covered two of three regular-season meetings with the Bucks last year and the Under was 2-1 in those contests.

Also See: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA December 2 breakdown

Bucks 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 3:07 p.m. ET.

Money line: Bucks -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Raptors +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
Against the spread (ATS): Bucks -4.5 (-115) | Raptors +2.5 (-107)
Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

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Bucks at Raptors key injuries

Bucks

SG Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) out
C DeMarcus Cousins (reconditioning) out
C Brook Lopez (back) out

Raptors

SG Gary Trent Jr. (calf) questionable
SF OG Anunoby (hip) out
PG Goran Dragic (personal) out

Bucks at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Bucks 112, Raptors 102

Money line

PASS with a heavy “lean” towards the Bucks (-190) because this is on the fringe of my price range for an NBA regular-season favorite. Milwaukee is definitely the right side but I like the Bucks enough in this spot to lay the points and avoid the vig.

Against the spread

BET BUCKS -4.5 (-115) for 1 unit because they have the best efficiency differential since Middleton came back and are actually better than their record indicates.

Milwaukee is 1.5 games behind the Brooklyn Nets for first-place in the Eastern Conference for now and not much longer in my opinion. While this definitely feels like a “trap spot” for the Bucks, I’m going to take the bait.

The Bucks just hammer bad teams. Milwaukee is 7-1 overall with a plus-16.2 efficiency differential against teams with a bottom-10 net rating, according to CleaningTheGlass.com. Against bottom-10 defenses, Milwaukee is 5-1 overall with a plus-16.0 efficiency differential.

The Raptors also can’t find their groove at home: Toronto is 2-8 overall and 1-9 ATS at home with the fifth-worst efficiency differential and the second-worst ATS margin.

Milwaukee should be motivated due to past results and playoff losses against Toronto. The Bucks have lost two straight at home to the Raptors and both by double digits. Granted, it was last year, but Milwaukee is red-hot and I don’t envision the Bucks letting their guard down in this game.

Over/Under

PASS with a slight “lean” to the Under 216.5 (-115) since my numbers predict this game going under by a few points. Milwaukee should shut down Toronto who could be without a couple of starters.

For what it’s worth, a majority of the market is betting the Over, according to the Yahoo! Sports App and Pregame.com. The total has been increased from 215 on the lookahead line to the current number.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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