Raptors vs Nets Prediction and Betting Tips 20 Dec 2024 - NBA Prediction
NLB Staff
20.12.2024 01:26
Raptors vs Nets Final Prediction
As the Toronto Raptors enter this game, they have been on a very up-and-down stretch with everyone back, while Brooklyn continues showing a lot of fight in their rebuilding year. This Raptors squad lost to Miami 114-104 last time out, while Brooklyn lost to Memphis by 16. The game ahead will be played on December 20th at 6:00 A.M. IST in Scotiabank Center of Toronto. Below are our key betting tips, vital player predictions, important injuries, and head-to-head trends entering this game.
Raptors vs Nets Key Betting Tips & Predictions
1. Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets Moneyline Pick
As the Nets' moneyline is at -130 in this game, it is a great pick because they have more young talent plus energy in this matchup. Led by Ben Simmons and Keon Johnson in the backcourt, this duo should have more assists than Davion Mitchell plus Gradey Dick, while they keep the scoring somewhat similar. Knowing Cameron Johnson is a great three and defensive guy going up against Ochai Agabji, Dorian-Finney Smith should help him in the rebounding department as he looks to have a strong performance against R.J Barrett with his defending prowess. Knowing Nic Claxton is much more athletic and stronger than Jakob Poeltl, Brooklyn’s -130 money line seems like it’s worth it and should help them win their 3rd straight vs Toronto.
2. Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets Point Spread Pick
Seeing that the Nets have a -1 spread during this game, they should keep a slight edge over Toronto throughout the matchup with their strength as a two-way unit. Led by Ben Simmons at point guard, he is not a great shooter but can provide for others and rebounds at one of the best rates. Being a key defender as well, he should cause a lot of deflections when Davion Mitchell tries to create assists for the Raptors and steals when driving in. Seeing that Simmons has a size advantage, his board-getting abilities are something that will create extra opportunities for this Nets unit. With Keon Johnson showing prowess as a young shooter, he should keep a similar score to Gradey Dick’s ability to knock down outside shots, while also being a vital defender in crunch time. As Johnson can provide steals as well, his close-out shooting ability will have some impact on the Raptors shooting guard’s looks throughout this game. Having Cameron Johnson against Ochai Agabji, the Nets small forward should easily find three-point looks, while also driving in for finishes. Seeing that Agabji has been a weaker defender, Johnson has a size advantage and can run down the other way to force turnovers as well. Being a very underrated blocker and rebounder, he should help Dorian Finney-Smith control R.J. Barrett’s game throughout this matchup. With Nic Claxton being a strong board-getter plus scorer than Jakob Poeltl, this Nets unit should win their -1 spread.
3. Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn NetsOver/Under Pick (Total Points)
Having an over/under of 225 points, this game should involve solid scoring from a variety of threats. As the Raptors point guard remains a pretty decent passer who can drive in at times, their shooting guard has shown immense growth throughout. Having a shooting guard who becomes great from beyond the arc, their small forward has been a key driver and mid-range finisher. Having an all-around threat at power forward, this group’s center is a league-average layup taker. Meanwhile, the Nets are led by one of the top playmakers in NBA action at point guard, while their shooting guard has slowly started showing prowess as an outside shooter. Having a small forward who is an unbelievable perimeter scorer and rebounder, their power forward can get a lot of mid-range looks. Having a center that continues being a great dunker and sometimes stretches the floor, this score should go well over their 208 points from last time.
Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets Top Player Props
Jakob Poeltl under 15.0 points at 1.91: Being a very traditional center that really can only score layups and inside shots, his lack of creativity could cause a tough offense game. As Poeltl has to go against an underrated defender in Nic Claxton, he will have a hard time going up for put-backs since the Nets center is a great blocker. Averaging 15.9 points a game, he will be below his season average in this game.
Ben Simmons over 6.0 assists at 1.71: As the Nets point guard remains a great play-maker and passing threat, he should show pin-point accuracy in this game. Being a strong dribbler and going up against a smaller defender in Davion Mitchell, Ben Simmons should be able to find his shooters with ease while dribbling around. Averaging 6.5 assists a night, he should go over the line during this matchup.
Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets Injury News & Impact
Toronto Raptors Injuries: With Bruce Brown, 10.8 points, not playing due to a knee/conditioning issue, this group will once against be without guard Immanuel Quickley because of an elbow problem. Although a lot of their team has gotten healthier, they got disappointing news that Scottie Barnes, 20.6 points and 7.4 assists, will miss time due to an ankle injury.
Brooklyn Nets Injuries: As Cam Thomas, 24.7 points, remains out with a knee issue, this group will have no Bojan Bogdanovic either. Including that, Zaire Williams, 8.6 points, will most likely be out due to a knee problem.
Raptors vs Nets Head-to-Head Trends
With the Brooklyn Nets having beaten the Raptors the last two times in a row, they hope to continue building on this streak. Having scored over 100 points in 6 of their last 8 games against Toronto, this Nets unit has also averaged 101 during their previous two. Being 7-1 against the spread over their last 8 games, this group hopes to stretch out their lead even more after this game.
Betting Insights & Public Trends
Looking at the current public trends, Brooklyn is favored by 54.5% of bettors to win this game against Toronto.
Raptors vs Nets Final Prediction
As the Brooklyn Nets have shown so much prowess this season despite their lack of talent, this is one of the simpler games for them to win. Going up against a bottom-five-ranked Raptors team, this Nets team can exploit all their holes on both sides of the court. Having Ben Simmons at a point guard, his ability to create assists and gain rebounds is a key factor for this unit. Being someone who has a huge size to play point guard, who should dominate a much smaller Davion Mitchell throughout. Known for his defense as well, Simmons will use balance and quick hands to steal the ball from Mitchell, while not allowing him to drive in. Someone who can cause deflections as well with his wingspan, Simmons should force a lot of looks down the other end. Seeing that this Nets unit has Keon Johnson being a much-improved shooter at the SG position, his matchup with Gradey Dick will be surprisingly close. Although the Raptors piece will potentially score more, his weak defense should allow Johnson to have another stronger scoring night as well.
With Cameron Johnson continuing to be a major catalyst in this unit, his perimeter looks against Ochai Agabji will be unguardable. Someone who has found his main role as a corner shooter, he can outpace and use size against Agabji to finish inside while also winning the rebounding battle. A piece whose defense has improved too, he will force the Raptors' small forward to take uncomfortable shots and create blocks when going inside. Helping Dorian Finney-Smith a lot, this will help the Nets power forward get boards and finish against R.J. Barrett, while limiting his scoring. Knowing that Jakob Poeltl will have a tougher time rebounding or scoring against a stronger Nic Claxton, the Nets youngsters like Jalen Wilson plus Noah Clowney should push the lead further. But, Toronto can win this game if Ja’Kobe Walter and Chris Boucher show up.
Our prediction: Brooklyn Nets win this game and cover a -1 spread, while the score goes over 225 points.
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