The Toronto Raptors welcome the Brooklyn Nets to Scotiabank Arena tonight.
Toronto is a 4.5-point home favorite, and my Raptors vs. Nets predictions expect them to take care of business tonight.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference showdown on December 19.
Raptors vs Nets prediction
My Raptors pick
Raptors -4.5 (+100 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
It's always tough to handicap a game when you don't know the status of a star player, and that's the case tonight with Scottie Barnes. The Toronto Raptors' best player sprained his ankle last week but was upgraded to questionable yesterday, which bodes well for this chance of suiting up tonight.
Barnes leads the team in assists (7.4) and steals (1.3) per game while ranking second in points (20.6) and rebounds (8.4). The Raps have lost five in a row but are 3-1-1 against the spread during that span, and if Barnes does play, there's a strong chance they snap that skid against a reeling Brooklyn Nets squad.
Brooklyn is 1-6 straight up and 2-5 ATS in its last seven and is coming off an ugly 130-101 loss to the Cavs. The Nets are 26th in the league in defensive rating (117.7 points allowed per 100 possessions), and that number has ticked up to 121.0 over their last 15 games.
The Nets have allowed a whopping 20.3 points per game on the fastbreak since the start of December. That's bad news against an up-tempo Raptors attack that loves to get out in transition and is fourth in the NBA with 17.6 fastbreak ppg.
On the other side of the court, the Nets have struggled to put up points over the last few weeks, with leading scorer Cam Thomas (24.7 ppg) sidelined by a hamstring injury.
They'll be even worse in that area after trading away Dennis Schroder (18.4 ppg, 6.6 apg) for essentially two second-round picks on Sunday.
With R.J. Barrett, Gradey Dick, and (possibly) Barnes, the Raps have more than enough firepower to torch this punch-less Brooklyn squad and pull away.
Raptors vs Nets same-game parlay
Raptors -4.5
Under 218.5
Jonathan Mogbo Over 5.5 rebounds
The Raptors should be able to shut down a Nets team that doesn't have any capable scorers besides Cam Johnson. With Thomas sidelined, the only other Brooklyn player averaging double digits in points is Dorian Finney-Smith (11.0 ppg), with starters Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton, and Keon Johnson unable to create their own shot.
Raptors forward Jonathan Mogbo is averaging 4.6 rebounds in just 17.3 minutes per game. The rookie has averaged 25 mpg over his last five contests, and that uptick in playing time has led to an increase in production.
He's grabbed at least seven rebounds in three of his last four games and should feast on the glass against a Nets squad last in the league in rebounding rate.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Nets odds
Raptors vs Nets live odds
Raptors vs Nets opening odds
- Spread: Toronto -3.5 | Brooklyn +3.5
- Moneyline: Toronto -160 | Brooklyn +135
- Over/Under: Over 219.5 | Under 219.5
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Raptors vs Nets spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors are coming off a one-point loss to the Bulls on Monday night but are still 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 games.
- In 13 games without Barnes, the Raptors have a defensive rating of 118.3, but that number improves to 115.9 in 14 games with him playing.
- The Under is 13-6 in Toronto's last 19 games.
- Toronto will be missing center Jakob Poeltl (15.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg) tonight due to a groin injury.
Raptors vs Nets trend
The Raptors have gone 18-8-1 ATS this season for a 69.2% cover rate. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Nets.
How to watch Raptors vs Nets
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Thursday, 12-19-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SN |
Raptors vs Nets latest injuries
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