Toronto Raptors NBA Team Betting Preview – 2020 Restart Season

For most of their history, the Raptors were a mediocre afterthought in Toronto.  Founded in 1995 the Raptors were always second fiddle to the Maple Leafs in a hockey-crazed town.  Late on that has changed as the team became a contender in 2015-16.  In the 2019 NBA Playoffs, the Raptors stole the hearts of Canada with an improbable upset run with the NBA betting odds.

Most important of all they ended the Warriors dynasty by winning the NBA championship.  Kawhi Leonard was named Most Valuable Player of the Finals.  Without Leonard, this season other players emerged to sustain success.

2020 Toronto Raptors Odds to Win

Odds to win NBA Championship:  +2200

Odds to win Eastern Conference:  +700

Record at Time of COVID-19 Suspension:  46-18 straight up, 35-28-1 against the spread, 34-29 over the total

Metric Rankings:  12^th for scoring offense, 21^st for field goal percentage, 6^th for three-point field goal percentage, 5^th for free throw percentage, 12^th for offensive rebounds, 1^st for points allowed, 2^nd for field goal percentage allowed, 1^st for three-point percentage allowed, 24^th for defensive rebounds

Standing:  2^nd place in Eastern Conference, 6.5 games out of first place

2020 NBA Restart Schedule

Saturday, August 1, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN:  Los Angeles Lakers

Monday, August 3, 1:30 p.m. ET, NBATV:  Miami Heat

Wednesday, August 5, 8 p.m. ET:  Orlando Magic

Friday, August 7, 9 p.m. ET, TNT:  Boston Celtics

Sunday, August 9, 2 p.m. ET:  Memphis Grizzlies

Monday, August 10, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN:  Milwaukee Bucks

Wednesday, August 12, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN:  Philadelphia 76ers

Friday, August 14, TBD:  Denver Nuggets

Toronto Raptors 2019-20 Season Review

At the onset of the season was a universal concern that the Raptors would fall back.  Kawhi Leonard’s free-agent signing with the Clippers was the reason why.  Toronto’s NBA championship was considered a sportsbook betting fluke to many.  Even had Leonard returned they were not going to be a favorite for a repeat.  And that is what has made this season so rewarding for the Raptors.  Gamblers are pleased with the surprise value that Toronto has shown on the board.  More emphatically the exceeded expectations have been a source for profit.

To begin with, Toronto has the top-ranked defense in the NBA.  As the Boston Celtics, the Raptors employ a team approach for their success.  In the same way, other players have stepped up to offset the loss of Leonard.  Toronto has gotten a full buy-in from players and coaches alike.  No excuses are made or permitted.

Head Coach Nick Nurse

Last year Nick Nurse emerged as a premier NBA coach in his first-ever season.  Nurse came up the hard way as he languished at small colleges and obscure minor league teams.  He got his big break in 2013 when the Raptors hired him as an assistant.  It was a great fit as Nurse built a strong reputation for player development.  While in the D-League he sent 23 players to the Association.

Previous head coach Dwane Casey made the Raptors into a contender.  But his playoff failures with the NBA betting lines cost him his job.  Nurse engineered a memorable upset championship in his first and only season as an NBA head coach.  Correlate how Nurse has kept the Raptors going this year without Leonard.  That’s the sign of a versatile leader.

Key Toronto Raptors Players

Pascal Siakam was an integral part of the Raptors championship last year.  Now he mans the franchise marquee.  Siakam was a first-time All-Star this year.  Further, he is the Raptors leading scorer with 23.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

In like manner, Kyle Lowry has been a Raptors mainstay since 2012.  He is a six-time All-Star.  Lowry is averaging 19.7 points per game this season.

Toronto Raptors Restart Betting Outlook

Following their championship, this campaign is a tough one to emulate.  Balanced against that championship season is a lack of depth and dominant player.