Raptors vs Nets Picks and Predictions: Curry, Nets Go Toe-to-Toe With Wounded Dinos

It has been a long time since the Toronto Raptors have taken the court. Or at least that’s what it feels like after suffering back-to-back blowout losses coming out of the All-Star break.

But Toronto will have to put those bad losses behind them as they begin a home-and-home against the Brooklyn Nets over the next two days. Can the Raps take advantage as short road faves in Brooklyn while the Nets’ stars remain sidelined?

Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Raptors vs. Nets on February 28.

Raptors vs Nets odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Raptors opened this matchup as 3.5-point road chalk and bettors have some faith they’ll put those bad performances behind them against a shorthanded Nets squad, moving the line to 4. The total has seen more action, hitting the board at 220 and being bet down to 217.5 as of Monday afternoon.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Raptors vs Nets predictions

• Prediction: Nets +4.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 217 (-110)
• Best bet: Seth Curry Over 2.5 made threes (-110)

Predictions made on 2/28/2022 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Raptors vs Nets game info

• Location: Barclays Center, New York City, NY
• Date: Monday, February 28, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN, YES

Raptors vs Nets betting preview

Key injuries

Raptors: Fred VanVleet PG (Questionable), OG Anunoby SF (Out).
Nets: Kevin Durant SF (Out), Kyrie Irving PG (Out), Ben Simmons PG (Out), Joe Harris SG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Over is 6-1-1 in the Nets’ last eight games as an underdog. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Nets.

Raptors vs Nets picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

Boy, would the Raptors love a reset to the unofficial start to the second half of their season. It started with OG Anunoby breaking his finger in practice before Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets. The Raps then promptly lost that game 125-93. They followed that up by getting soundly thumped 127-100 against the Atlanta Hawks.

The injury to Anunoby is a big deal for many reasons. He’s a crafty scorer and capable 3-point shooter, and a versatile defender. But the bigger issue is that the Raptors run such a short bench it is tough to make up for all the minutes Anunoby will miss.

Speaking of injuries. It feels like Fred VanVleet’s knee injury is worse than the team is letting on. Despite the fact the All-Star point guard continues to suit up, he appears to be a little hobbled by the knee. And you can see it in his shooting hitting just 33% of his attempts post-All-Star break.

The Nets, on the other hand, continue to await their starts to return. It sounds like Kevin Durant could return for tomorrow’s game in Toronto but Ben Simmons’ debut has been pushed back due to a back injury (shocking he wasn’t in game shape, eh?). And of course, the game is being played in Brooklyn so no Kyrie Irving. (He can’t play in Toronto either).

So, this version of the Nets consists of starting Andre Drummond, Seth Curry, and Patty Mills. Now, somewhat surprisingly, the team is 2-2 SU/ATS in the games without their stars. Now, those wins came against the Kings and Knicks, but they feature just enough shooting that they should be able to stick with a Raptors team that is in a slump and has allowed its last two opponents to shoot a combined 56.6% from the floor.

Lean towards taking the points with the home dog.

Prediction: Nets +4.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

When it comes to the total, the Under has been hammered early, but it may be down just enough to consider going the other way.

While this version of the Nets, let’s call them Nets Lite, is lacking, well a lot. They still have some shooters, most notably Curry and Mills, and have still managed to put up 107.3 points per game in the four games since the trade deadline without Irving.

Now, they face a Raptors defense that is leaking like a sieve and has allowed 126 points per contest over its last two games. While the Nets might not put up that much, they should be able to get close to that average and help send the game Over the total.

The Raps, on the other hand, have seen their offense fall off a cliff in its first two games back, putting up just 193 total points. But even with no OG and a hobbled Fred, this team still has the pieces to get hot from 3-point range and put up 115.1 points per game in their last eight games leading into the All-Star break.

With Nets Lite allowing 109.3 over their last four games, we’re leaning towards this one going Over.

Prediction: Over 217 (-110)

Best bet

There isn’t a ton to love in this game but if there’s one thing we can count on it’s Seth Curry letting it fly from deep. Brooklyn is yet another stop for the other Curry, but no matter where he goes he continues to make it rain from 3-point range.

Curry is shooting a ridiculous 47.4% from beyond the arc since joining the Nets and has hit three or more threes in four of his five games. Now, he faces a Raptors defense that can get overly aggressive at times and leave people open on the wing. As a result, they rank 21st in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

Curry over 2.5 made threes looks like the safest bet on the board.

Pick: Seth Curry Over 2.5 made threes (-110)

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