Nets vs. Raptors Odds, Pick, Prediction: Emphasis on Scoring in Toronto (December 16)
Sarah Stier/Getty Images. Pictured: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors.
- The Brooklyn Nets are short road favorites (Spread: -1.5) in their matchup with the Toronto Raptors.
- The Nets have won four straight entering Friday, but Chris Baker thinks the value is on the over/under (226.5).
- Check out the Nets vs. Raptors odds, including his pick and prediction below.
Nets vs. Raptors Odds
| Nets Odds | -1.5 |
| Raptors Odds | +1.5 |
| Over/Under | 226.5 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBA League Pass |
| Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here. | |
The Brooklyn Nets continue their road trip with a stop in Toronto on Friday night to take on the Raptors for the fourth and final time this season.
The Nets have been perfect against the Raptors this season and haven't played since Monday night. Can the Raptors overcome a fully healthy and rested Nets team?
Let’s dive into the Nets vs. Raptors odds and look at how these two teams matchup with each other.
Nets Are Hitting Their Stride Entering Matchup
The Nets have been absolutely rolling as of late, winning eight of their past 10 games and are currently winners of four straight. They’ve climbed to a 17-12 record and rank 11th in Adjusted Net Rating, according to Dunks and threes.
This game represents the first time the Nets have had a perfectly clean injury report all season. On top of their health, the Nets will also have a rest advantage over the Raptors as the Nets starters have effectively played one game during the past week. This has been a good matchup for the Nets' offense all season as the Raptors struggle to defend the perimeter.
Toronto ranks 24th in 3-point attempt rate allowed and 30th in corner 3-point rate. With Yuta Watanabe back, the Nets will have plenty of shooters to capitalize on the Raptors' weakness. Between Watanabe, Joe Harris, Royce O’Neale and Seth Curry, I expect the Nets to have no issues putting up points.
Keep in mind that the Raptors had OG Anunoby in the first three games. Anunoby is arguably their best defender and certainly their best defensive matchup for Kevin Durant. Without Anunoby, we should expect to see more Juan Hernangomez, Dalano Banton, and Chris Boucher minutes and those guys certainly represent a defensive downgrade from Anunoby. Expect the Nets to score at will against this banged up Toronto defense.
Can the Raptors Mitigate Injury Issues?
The Raptors have struggled this season to say the least. They rank 17th in Adjusted Net Rating despite playing the ninth-easiest schedule in the NBA, according to Dunks and Threes. They are in 10th place of the Eastern conference with a 13-15 record and the injuries are also starting to pile up on their already thin rotation. Otto Porter Jr, Precious Achiuwa, and OG Anunoby will all be out for this one against the Nets.
Despite the injuries, I think there is reason for cautious optimism in this matchup against the Nets. The Raptors should have a massive edge on the offensive glass — fourth best offensive rebounding team in the NBA. The Nets have struggled to finish defensive possessions, ranking dead-last in Defensive Rebound Rate. The Raptors need to press their advantage down-low and maximize their second-chance opportunities if they want to keep pace with this Brooklyn offense.
The Raptors' offense should also have some success in transition as they rank first in Transition Rate and Offensive Rating. Brooklyn has struggled to sprint back and set their defense at times as they rank 19th in transition points per 100 allowed. The Raptors should have no issues limiting on the defensive glass as the Nets rank 29th in the NBA in offensive rebound rate.
The Raptors' defense also ranks first in the NBA at forcing turnovers and the Nets offense ranks 18th in turnover rate. If the Raptors can control the defensive glass and turn the Nets over they should have plenty of opportunities to get out and run on this defense.
Nets-Raptors Pick
These two teams are extremely familiar with each other but I still like the over 226.5 here. The Raptors are a team that likes to play big and that should enable them to press their advantage with Siakam, Barnes, and Koloko down low.
At the same time they should continue to have issues defending the three point line and that is a recipe for disaster against this Brooklyn team loaded with three point shooters. On top of the matchup edges, both of these teams are extremely well-rested as the Nets have played essentially one game in the past week and the Raptors have played just two in the past week.
The Raptors also haven’t had to travel at all in the past week. The situation lines up with the tactical advantages for both teams so I expect to see lots of points and will be playing the over 226.5 in this one.
Pick: Pick: Over 226.5 (Play to 228) |
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