Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Where to watch: NBC Sports Washington, Sportsnet
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Raptors -1
FanDuel: Lines not yet released
BetMGM: Lines not yet released
Caesars: Lines not yet released
Season record
Raptors: 31-32
Wizards: 29-32
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting!
Raptors - Wizards preview, prediction and analysis
It’s always good when you’re right on two NBA games last time out, so pardon me for feeling good about cashing in the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards the other night. And congrats if you took our plays with those the other day, as well. Now, let’s see how it works when the two match up on Thursday in Washington, DC.
The Raptors are coming off a 104-98 win over the Chicago Bulls in a game where we really felt good about the inconsistencies with the Bulls, coupled with Toronto’s ability to rebound after that dud in Cleveland. That’s exactly what happened by way of great defense.
Yes, the Bulls shot 52 percent from the floor, but took only 71 shots because the Raptors forced 19 turnovers. Pascal Siakam led the way with 20 points, and Gary Trent Jr. had 19 points off the bench. Toronto was able to overcome a 1 for 11 shooting night for Fred VanVleet in the process.
One big reason why the Raptors closed strong was the play of Scottie Barnes. He struggled by going just 1 of 8 through the first three quarters, but had eight points and four blocks in the final 12 minutes.
“The competitive side of him really starts emerging in the fourth,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “He just starts playing really physical and really tough.”
Tuesday was the first cover in three games for the Raptors, who were favored by 3.5 going into this one. That gives them three covers in the last five games and 5-5 in the last 10 against the spread. Still an average run for an average team, but maybe things are starting to turn with five wins in six games.
The Wizards seemed like the safest bet on Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks, who were playing their first game under new coach Quin Snyder. Washington was getting six points without having Kristaps Porzingis or Monte Morris in the lineup, but they still had Bradley Beal doing damage. Beal had a game-high 37 points and seven assists, and Kyle Kuzma had 28 points to push the Wizards to victory.
That helped despite Washington shooting just 6 of 21 from the 3-point line, but the Wizards put up 49.5% from the floor. Overall, a strong, successive road victory for a team trying to get some help toward the playoffs.
“We did a good job of staying resilient,” Beal said. “We just find a way to win.”
The Wizards appear to have turned a corner here with five wins in the last games, while also going 5-3 against the spread in the last eight. You have to wonder how much they can stay above water without their starting big man and their starting point guard for however much time. You don’t expect it to be long, but you never know.
Prediction
This is a battle between the No. 9 and 10 teams in the Eastern Conference, separated by a game apiece. Washington has a 1.5-game edge on the Bulls for 10th, so the margin for error is slim. Home-court advantage helps, but if Porzingis and Morris don’t play, that’s going to be a problem. Raptors 110, Wizards 106
Betting trends
Check back later for trends.
Projected starting lineup
Raptors:
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: Gary Trent Jr.
SF: O.G. Anunoby
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Pascal Siakam
Wizards:
PG: Delon Wright
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Kyle Kuzma
PF: Deni Avdija
C: Daniel Gafford
Injury report
Wizards: Kristaps Porzingis (knee, doubtful), Monte Morris (back, questionable)
Raptors: None
Statistical leaders
Raptors:
Points: Pascal Siakam -- 25.2
Rebounds: Pascal Siakam -- 7.7
Assists: Fred VanVleet -- 6.2
Wizards:
Points: Bradley Beal -- 23.1
Rebounds: Kristaps Porzingis -- 8.6
Assists: Monte Morris -- 5.3
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