Although the Toronto Raptors continue to rack up loss after loss, starting center Jakob Poetl has remained extremely productive as a facilitator.
Photo By – Imagn Images.
It feels like the tank is in full swing for the Toronto Raptors. The Raps have lost 11 games in a row, and the last four have been particularly ugly.
But if you’re looking for a bright spot, they are favored to end this horrible losing streak tonight at home against the visiting Brooklyn Nets.
My Nets vs. Raptors predictions highlight a player prop for one Raps player still giving it his all. Here are my NBA picks for this Atlantic Division matchup tipping off at 7:30 pm ET at Scotiabank Arena.
My Raptors pick
Jakob Poeltl Over 2.5 assists (+115 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
The Toronto Raptors look like they are on the edge of extinction. Their 11-game losing streak means they are now 7-26 for the season, and the last four games have been as tough as they get.
The Raps’ last four losses have come by an average of 31.4 points per game, culminating in a horrific 125-71 loss at the hands of the Boston Celtics.
Luckily for the Raptors, they’ll have a chance to end this ugly losing streak when they host the Brooklyn Nets tonight. The Nets are barely superior to the Raps, entering this game with a 12-20 record and ranking 24th in net rating compared to Toronto at 26th.
These two Atlantic Division foes last met in Toronto back on December 19, with the Nets taking a 101-94 as 2-point underdogs. However, one thing the Raptors didn’t have in that game was starting center Jakob Poeltl.
Despite the less-than-favorable results, the Raps’ big man is having a very strong season, averaging 15.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. There’s been an added emphasis on his playmaking lately, with Poetl averaging 3.4 assists over his last eight games — including dishing out 3+ dimes six times during this period.
Poeltl now gets to face a Nets team that ranks 26th in the NBA in opponent assists per possession, and a matchup against Nic Claxton should mean plenty of minutes and opportunities for assists for the Raps big. Give me the Over.
Even though the Nets scored just 101 points in the previous meeting against the Raptors, I’m fading Toronto’s defense by adding the Over 110.5 on the Brooklyn team total. The Raptors have allowed a ridiculous 123.1 points per game over their last 13 contests.
One of the guys contributing to that scoring will be Claxton. The Brooklyn big man is averaging 9.4 points per game this season, but that is up to 10.6 over his last 11 games — and he has hit double digits six times during that stretch.
With or without Poeltl, the Raptors have struggled to defend down low, ranking 26th in opponent points in the paint.
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Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Toronto has hit the game total Over in 16 of its last 22 games at home (+9.40 Units / 39% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Nets.
Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
Date: | Wednesday, 1-1-2025 |
Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
TV: | TSN |
Not intended for use in MA.
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