On paper, I’m not sure there’s a more difficult back-to-back in the NBA than the Thunder and the Spurs, but that’s what the Raptors will be dealing with on Wednesday, after dropping a 116-107 decision on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, San Antonio crosses the border fully healthy and fully rested. The Spurs are also riding a nine-game winning streak, a span of time where the team is outscoring opponents by a jaw-dropping 16.0 points per 100 possessions. Heck, the most “narrow” victory in this run has been by nine points. They’re demolishing people.
Will San Antonio be able to make it 10 in a row this evening? Let’s preview this tilt with the help of some of some odds and lines on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Spurs at Raptors prediction, preview
What is even left to be said about the Spurs? We know San Antonio has had its way with Oklahoma City all season long, but it was still impressive to see the Spurs travel across the country and absolutely dismantle the East-leading Pistons on Monday night. Maybe a nine-point win doesn’t seem all that notable from the surface, yet Detroit was completely flummoxed by San Antonio’s defense — particularly Cade Cunningham, who shot a paltry 5-for-26 (19.2%) from the field in the loss. In fact, as a squad, the Pistons were held to a 98.9 offensive rating while shooting 37.7%. Yikes.
The Spurs are just so deep. Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes would be starters on most teams in the NBA, and that’s not to mention the fact that No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper has yet to start a single game in his rookie campaign. That said, Harper is taking advantage of his opportunities, averaging 12.3 points and 4.4 assists per contest in February with a fantastic 61.3% true shooting rate. Again, these are the bench pieces that compliment All-Stars Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. Not to mention a reigning Rookie of the Year in the form of Stephon Castle. What a luxury of riches it is to have a top four pick back-to-back-to-back seasons. Who knew?
On Toronto’s side of things, though it’s difficult to be too upset about a Raptors squad that already has more wins (34) than it’s had in either of the past two full seasons, a worrisome trend is beginning to shape the ceiling that this team possesses. Toronto just doesn’t beat great opponents. Including last night’s loss to the Thunder, the Raptors are now just 1-10 in matchups with the top three teams in each conference, with Toronto falling to the Spurs back on October 27 at Scotiabank Arena. While the Raptors have seemingly built up enough of a cushion in the standings to feel pretty good about making the playoffs as a top six seed, it’s getting increasingly hard too see them as anything more than first-round fodder for the Knicks or the Cavaliers.
Specific to Wednesday, Toronto will be on the second leg of a back-to-back with their best player, Scottie Barnes, listed as questionable due to a right quad bruise suffered in the fourth quarter on Tuesday. Despite the injury, Barnes still managed to block four shots and record three steals in the defeat, and the seven “stocks” allowed the All-Star to re-take the league lead (166) over the aforementioned Wembanyama (165). If Barnes is unable to play, look for Collin Murray-Boyles to start alongside Jakob Poeltl. Or for Ja’Kobe Walter to return to the starting five.
Spurs at Raptors pick, best bet
Best Bet: Raptors Under 110.5 Points (-108)
I’d honestly be willing to play with some alt lines in this market, with the under on the Raptors’ team total of 100.5 sitting at +354 on the DraftKings Sportsbook. Toronto ranks in the lower-half of the league in offensive rating (113.7) and could be without Barnes. They can also simply go ice-cold from three on any given night. The Raptors have been held below 100 points in nine of their past 40 games. It happens way more often that you’d assume.
