Nets vs Raptors Picks and Predictions: Toronto Lays Second Straight Beatdown on Brooklyn

After a dreadful first two games coming out of the NBA All-Star break, the Toronto Raptors responded in a big way by beating down the Nets in Brooklyn 133-97 as short road favorites.

Now the question for NBA bettors is, can the Raps do it for the second night in a row as the Nets travel to Toronto for the second half of their mini home-and-home series? And can they cover a much larger spread in the process?

Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Nets vs. Raptors on March 1.

Nets vs Raptors odds

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

The Raptors opened this matchup as 8.5-point home favorites, which makes sense after closing as a 2.5-point road favorite last night. But with last night’s blowout — and the potential for the Raptors to get a key piece back — don’t be surprised if the line moves in Toronto’s favor. 

The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 218 and was bumped up to 218.5 before coming back down to the opening number. Last night’s game closed at 216.5.

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.

Nets vs Raptors predictions

• Prediction: Raptors -8.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 218 (-110)
• Best bet: Siakam Over 22.5 points (-105)

Predictions made on 3/1/2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Nets vs Raptors game info

• Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
• Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN, YES

Nets vs Raptors betting preview

Key injuries

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

Betting trend to know

The Over is 5-0 in the Nets' last five games overall and 10-2 in the Raptors' last 12 games as a home favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Raptors.

Nets vs Raptors 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

The Raptors entered last night’s game against the Nets in a bad place: no Fred VanVleet, no OG Anunoby, and consecutive 25-plus point losses. Then, to rub salt in the wound, Goran Dragic made his Nets debut against the Raptors. 

Then, the game happened and the Raps won 133-97. Scottie Barnes was massive, tying a career-high with 28 points while grabbing 16 boards, and the Raptors' tenacious defense wreaked havoc on a Nets team lacking its stars. Toronto forced a ridiculous 22 turnovers and limited Brooklyn to 38% from the field.

Now, it appears the Raptors could get a bit of a boost as VanVleet and Anunoby have been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s game. 

But for the Nets, reinforcements are not on the way as Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons remain out while Kyrie Irving is unable to play in Canada due to vaccine mandates. On top of that, Andre Drummond is also questionable. And the lack of depth and team chemistry seemed to really hurt the Nets against the Raptors. 

While the Raptors likely won't win by 36 points again, if they only have to key on basically two guys (Patty Mills and Seth Curry) — get back at least VanVleet and maybe even Anunoby — they should be able to put in a similar effort like last night and get the cover at home.

Prediction: Raptors -8.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

When it comes to the total, we get a similar number to last night despite that game cruising over the closing Over/Under by 13.5, thanks in large part to the Raptors. 

The Raptors put up 133 points in a game in which Fred VanVleet didn’t play and Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. combined for just 20 points. So, not only could they get VanVleet back, you can get a bounce-back performance from two of the team’s best scorers. 

Last night was more on par with a team that put up 115.1 points per game in their last eight games leading into the All-Star break. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the Nets are allowing 125.5 points per game over the last four games. 

And while the Raptors defense is tenacious, that aggressive nature can bite them in the butts at times, allowing open shooters on the wings. As a result, they rank 20th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and the Nets have just enough shooting to help send this one Over the number once again.

Prediction: Over 218 (-110)

Best bet

Pascal Siakam was balling out of control prior to the all-star break. The Raptors power forward was putting up 23.6 points with 9.0 rebounds and 6.1 assists in his final 18 games leading up the break. 

But he’s come out of the break ice cold. He’s averaging just 10 points per game in the first three games back while shooting just 25.6 % from the floor. Some of this has to do with Fred VanVleet’s injury because their two-man game is so crisp. But expect Siakam to bounce back at home tonight because you know he’s going to keep shooting against a Nets team lacking options when it comes to guarding him.

Pick: Pascal Siakam Over 22.5 Points (-105)

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