Coming out of the All-Star break, the Toronto Raptors' chances of making the play-in aren’t extinct just yet, but that meteor is coming in hot.
The Raptors return to action on Thursday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets with a 19-36 record while sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference and five games out of a potential play-in spot.
So, it’s more likely that Toronto will use the remaining 27 games to see what they have in their new core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. They’ll have a chance to show what they can do against a Nets team that has won just six of their last 24 games. And the NBA odds like the Raptors to get the job done on their home court, listing the Raps as slight favorites.
Can Toronto come through laying the points, or will Brooklyn be a pesky underdog? I break down this Atlantic Division matchup and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for Nets vs. Raptors on Thursday, February 22.
Nets vs Raptors odds
Nets vs Raptors predictions
Yes, it’s very likely that the Toronto Raptors move forward with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley as their new core. The next step is determining what needs to be added around them to take the next step in their development.
That said, I really like the pairing of Barnes and Quickley. The two complement each other as they can play both on and off the ball seamlessly. Quickley’s shooting also fits well with Barnes' playmaking ability, and we have seen that early on during IQ’s Raptors tenure. And finally, they both have high basketball IQs.
But for Thursday night’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, I want to focus on Quickley’s shooting. Particularly, from beyond the arc.
Quickley is a career 37.4% shooter from 3-point range, but he has taken that to the next level this season. This isn’t surprising, considering the added opportunities he’s been given to shoot and create in Toronto.
IQ is draining an impressive 40.6% of his 6.4 attempts per game from long range as a member of the Raptors and should have a great opportunity to keep draining 3s in this matchup against the Nets.
Brooklyn is also a team looking towards its future in more ways than one. The team relieved head coach Jacques Vaughn of his duties during the All-Star break with former UConn head man Kevin Ollie taking over on an interim basis.
Now, the Nets could get that “new coach” boost for a few games. But I’m not sure if Ollie can do much to improve the team’s defensive rating, which ranks 21st in the Association heading into this matchup. One of the biggest problem areas for the Nets is on the perimeter.
Brooklyn ranks 18th in 3-point attempts allowed and a lot of those attempts are open looks, as they rank 25th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. That has resulted in them allowing the fifth-most made 3s per game (13.6) in the NBA.
Quickley cooled off a bit before the break, hitting just 2 of 14 attempts from beyond the arc in his last two games. But some R&R should have him refocused. He’s hit three or more 3s eight times in his 20 games as a Raptor and our Covers Prop Projections has him at 2.9 in this matchup.
Let's start the second half off with a bang. At +115, there is value in IQ to hit three or more 3s on Thursday night.
My best bet: Immanuel Quickley 3+ made 3s (+115 at PointsBet)
Nets vs Raptors same-game parlay
Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 made threes
Immanuel Quickley Under 6.5 assists
Nic Claxton Over 12.5 points
With Quickley focused on scoring tonight, I’m betting we'll see his assist numbers drop a bit. His assist total is on the board at 6.5 and that might be a touch too high.
IQ averages 5.8 assists per game since joining the Raptors, but that's dipped to 5.4 over his last eight games and he's only topped 6.5 assists twice over that eight-game stretch. Add the Under 6.5 assists to this SGP.
And let’s round this SGP out with a Nets player prop; I’m looking at Nic Claxton to go Over 12.5 points. The Brooklyn big is one of the few bright spots on this roster, averaging 12.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
The Raptors do not defend the interior well, ranking 26th in opponent points in the paint per game, and Claxton was a handful for Jakob Poeltl when they last met back in November going for 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Nets vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis
Despite the fact the Nets have beaten the Raptors in fix consecutive meetings and covered the spread in six straight, it’s the Raps who have opened this Atlantic Division matchup as slight favorites, hitting the board as 2.5-point home chalk.
I believe that is a direct result of the Nets' poor play for pretty much the last two months. The Nets are just 6-18 over their last 24 games, have the fifth-worst net rating in the NBA over that period, and are 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games away from home.
Now, the Raptors aren’t doing much better, but they generally play better at home and have the offense that can take advantage of a struggling Nets defense. I’d have a slight lean toward laying with the Raps at home at less one possession.
When it comes to the total, that has hit the board at 231.5. While both teams have been trending towards the Under, this is one of those situations that could buck the trend. I think the Raps can have success in this matchup, and their defense has been one of the worst in the NBA since the start of January.
Toronto ranks dead last in the Association when it comes to defensive rating since Jan. 1. Even a sub-par Nets team should be able to put up some points in this one. I’d lean Over on Thursday night.
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Nets vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Nets are just 7-22-2 ATS in their last 31 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Raptors.
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Nets vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Thursday, February 22, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | YES, TSN |
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