Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors Betting Pick & Prediction 12/19/24
At 7:30 ET, the 7-20 Raptors (-168) will host the 10-16 Nets (+141) in a divisional matchup. Toronto has lost five straight and is 14th in the Eastern Conference, while Brooklyn has dropped three in a row and is 11th in the East.
The over/under line for this game is 218 points. Tip-off will take place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and the game can be seen on YES.
BROOKLYN NETS VS TORONTO RAPTORS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Toronto Raptors -3.5
This game will be played at Scotiabank Arena at 7:30 ET on Thursday, December 19th.
WHY BET THE TORONTO RAPTORS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 120-70 in favor of the Raptors.
- Our projections have RJ Barrett finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
- From the field, we have the Raptors finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.4% and knocking down 12 threes.
Can the Nets Lock in a Win at Toronto?
The Nets dropped to 10-16 on the season after a 130-101 home loss to the Cavaliers on Monday. Brooklyn entered the game as +10.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 231, exceeding the O/U line of 215.5 by 15.5 points.
Cleveland took control early with a 16-0 run, stretching the score from 17-15 to 31-17. The Nets couldn’t recover, as they were outscored 35-23 in the 2nd quarter. Brooklyn showed some fight in the 3rd, winning the quarter 37-32, but they trailed 104-77 heading into the 4th, where they were outscored 26-24.
In their 130-101 loss to the Cavaliers, the Nets shot 42% from the field, with Cameron Johnson leading the way, scoring 22 points and hitting 3 three-pointers at a 50% clip. Day’Ron Sharpe contributed 15 points, while Jalen Wilson added 13, connecting on 4 threes at 50% efficiency.
Brooklyn made 14 threes, shooting 41.2% from deep. Johnson scored 8 points in the 3rd quarter, while Wilson added 9 of his 13 points in the 2nd quarter.
The Nets struggled defensively against the Cavaliers, giving up 130 points on 53% shooting. Brooklyn allowed 37 points in the 1st quarter and 35 in the 2nd, with Cleveland scoring at least 32 points in each of the first three quarters.
Brooklyn also allowed Cleveland to hit 19 threes at a 40% clip. The Cavaliers went to the line 29 times, making 25 free throws. The Nets finished with 11 steals and 2 blocks.
Is a Home Win Possible for the Raptors?
The Raptors fell to 7-20 for the season after a narrow 122-121 loss to the Bulls on Monday. Toronto, playing at home, was +1 point underdogs, and the game ended in a push for spread bettors. The total points of 243.5 narrowly exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 239.5.
Toronto got off to a slow start, trailing 33-25 after the 1st quarter. They tightened up defensively in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Chicago 25-20. However, a rough 3rd quarter saw the Bulls pull ahead 42-34. The Raptors made a strong push in the 4th, outscoring Chicago 37-27, but fell just short of completing the comeback.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 32 points and 9 assists in their 122-121 loss to the Bulls, shooting 45.8% from the field and hitting 2 threes at a 50% rate. Gradey Dick added 27 points, with 13 coming in the 4th quarter, and made 3 threes despite shooting 33.3% from deep.
Overall, the Raptors shot 48.9% from the field, but connected on just 9 threes at a 34.6% clip. Barrett scored 12 points in the 2nd quarter, while Dick added 10 in the 3rd and 13 in the 4th.
Defensively, the Raptors had a strong 2nd quarter, holding the Bulls to 20 points, but they struggled in the 3rd, giving up 42 points in their 122-121 loss. Toronto allowed Chicago to shoot 46% from the field.
The Raptors limited the Bulls to 14 made threes on 35% shooting from deep. Toronto sent Chicago to the line 28 times, where they hit 22 free throws. The Raptors finished with 34 defensive rebounds, 7 steals, and 6 blocks.