There can be perks to playing some of the NBA’s worst teams. For the Toronto Raptors, the perk of facing the Washington Wizards tonight should arise in them finding some offensive footing. The Wizards give up points early and often, something the Raptors’ psyche could use.
NBA odds have the hometown Raptors favored by nearly double-digit points at -9.5 with a game total inching up toward 230.
Let’s once again back a first-half total, though a more specific one, in our free NBA picks and predictions as we preview Wizards vs. Raptors on November 13, with tip set for 7:30 ET.
Wizards vs Raptors odds
Wizards vs Raptors predictions
The Washington Wizards keep things moving, averaging 105 possessions per game, the most in the NBA. Not playing in overtime has boosted that. Nothing but tempo. Washington averages 1.6 more possessions per game than the second-fastest team in the league, the Spurs, and nearly two possessions more per game than the league’s fastest team with a winning record, the Pacers.
That should play right into the Toronto Raptors’ athleticism. Nearly any player who grabs a rebound is capable of taking the ball up the court. And it will play into a Raptors theme: early points.
Usually that has shown up defensively, opponents carrying the workload to propel Toronto first halves past 100 points in six of nine games, but the Raptors did reach 62 first-half points on Wednesday at Dallas and 66 at Milwaukee on Nov. 11. Even the 28th-ranked offensive rating in the league can find a groove on occasion.
Everyone finds an early groove against the Wizards, which is likely due — at least in part — to that aggressive pace. Five of nine Washington opponents have scored at least 59 points in the first half, with three scoring 68 or more. The exceptions have been some of the league’s most incompetent teams, Memphis once (No. 29 offensive rating in the league) and Charlotte twice, or yesterday’s afternoon game at Brooklyn.
(Note for another time: Always bet NBA first-half Unders in afternoon games. Routines are that important to NBA players.)
Anyway, letting Toronto get out and run will help camouflage its shooting woes, ranking No. 22 in the league in field-goal percentage at 45.3% and No. 23 in percentage from beyond the arc at 34.2%.
There is a reason the Wizards defense gives up the second-highest field-goal percentage in the league. Opponents get to the rim. For that matter, they rank No. 16 in the rate of threes attempted against. Opponents get to the rim.
And that should lead to yet another Washington opponent hanging a crooked number in the first half. PointsBet dropped this number by a full bucket on Monday morning, moving the price by 55 cents, but that bucket should make the premium worth it.
My best bet: Raptors first-half team total Over 57.5 (-140 at PointsBet)
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Wizards vs Raptors same-game parlay
Raptors first-half team total Over 57.5
Dennis Schroder Over 15.5 points
Pascal Siakam Over 21.5 points
The Dennis Schroder and Pascal Siakam thoughts are the same: Which individual Toronto players will most benefit from getting out in transition and getting to the rim?
Of Raptors wings or guards playing at least 22 minutes per game, Schroder attempts the fewest 3-pointers, just 4.8 in his 32 minutes per game. He is shooting nearly 40%, but he is plenty used to probing into the paint.
Siakam is shooting the worst from deep, with his 26.7% a significant part of Toronto’s early-season offensive struggles. Yet he is scoring 17.3 points per game. His 10 shots per game from inside the arc should tick upward tonight, and that alone is reason to snag Siakam’s points prop Over.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Wizards vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis
The Raptors opened as 8.5-point favorites on Sunday afternoon after the Wizards lost 102-94 at Brooklyn, also a loss against the spread as seven-point underdogs. By Sunday night, the market had moved to -9.5 for tonight’s tip, peaking at -10 this morning before returning to -9.5.
Toronto has been such a hefty favorite just once this season, losing outright 99-91 as a 10-point favorite against the Blazers on Oct. 30.
Washington has been a such or similar underdog four times this year, covering twice as a ‘dog of seven points or more, winning none of them outright.
The total opened at 225.5 before peaking at 229.5 early this morning, settling at 228.5 to 229.5, depending on your book.
The upward tick can be attributed to the Wizards being on the second night of a back-to-back, with their defensive legs likely to fade before their offensive legs do.
Wizards vs Raptors betting trend to know
Seven of Washington’s nine games this season have gone Over their totals. Find more NBA betting trends for Wizards vs. Raptors.
Wizards vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canada |
| Date: | Monday, November 13, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, MNMT |
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