PREMIUM
Rogers' Wednesday WIPEOUT >> 17-6 L23 NBA! 3-0 This Week!
(NBA) Toronto vs. Houston,
Point Spread: 4.00 | -100.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 4.00 | -100.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Raptors opened 7-2, looking every bit the part of a Eastern Conference title contender but Toronto will enter this game the night before Thanksgiving having lost four of five to fall to 8-6. The Rockets welcome Toronto to Toyota Center 9-5 overall, including owning a 4-1 home mark.
Toronto: There was concern that the Raptors would struggle following the loss of center Bismack Biyombo during the offseason, as he helped anchor a team that finished 11th in defensive rating last season, before signing with the Orlando Magic. Well, his loss has been YUGE. The Raptors are still one of the better offensive teams in the NBA (rank 6th in both scoring at 108.1 PPG and FG percentage at 45.9) but the Raptors are a sieve on the defensive end. Despite averaging 113 points over their last five games, the Raptors lost for the fourth time during that stretch on Monday night when they fell 123-115 to the Clippers in Los Angeles. Toronto is 4-4 over its last eight games, a span in which each opponent has scored at least 102 points. DeRozan was leading the NBA in scoring until going 3-of-15 from the floor and finishing with 12 points in a 102-99 loss at Sacramento on Sunday (he's now at 30.9 PPG). Fellow guard Lowry (19.9-5.5-7.2) has shot better lately but still makes only 39.3% fomn the floor, including 33.7 on threes.
Houston: James Harden is running Mike D'Antoni's system to perfection. The All-Star guard is enjoying his best all-around season (28.6-7.8-12.4) and posted his fourth consecutive double-double with 28 points and 11 assists in a 99-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. More good news has come Houston's way with the return of guard Patrick Beverley. Beverley underwent left knee surgery during the preseason and his impact is so much greater than the 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game he provided last season. He is the team's best individual perimeter defender and his influence on that end of the court has been sorely missed. Beverley has played alongside of Harden the last three games (all wins), averaging 25 minutes and is 11-of-21 from the floor since his return (8.3 PPG).
The pick: This marks Toronto's fourth road game in six days (not good) but I am not a fan of teams overly dominated by one player like the Rockets (with Harden) or OKC (with Westbrook). Gordon is Houston's second-leading scorer at 15.4 PPG and Anderson, now a starter at SF, checks in third at 12.2 PPG. However, Gordon is making just 40.7% from the floor and Anderson 38.4%. The Rockets can be had and I'm making Toronto a 10* play.
Toronto: There was concern that the Raptors would struggle following the loss of center Bismack Biyombo during the offseason, as he helped anchor a team that finished 11th in defensive rating last season, before signing with the Orlando Magic. Well, his loss has been YUGE. The Raptors are still one of the better offensive teams in the NBA (rank 6th in both scoring at 108.1 PPG and FG percentage at 45.9) but the Raptors are a sieve on the defensive end. Despite averaging 113 points over their last five games, the Raptors lost for the fourth time during that stretch on Monday night when they fell 123-115 to the Clippers in Los Angeles. Toronto is 4-4 over its last eight games, a span in which each opponent has scored at least 102 points. DeRozan was leading the NBA in scoring until going 3-of-15 from the floor and finishing with 12 points in a 102-99 loss at Sacramento on Sunday (he's now at 30.9 PPG). Fellow guard Lowry (19.9-5.5-7.2) has shot better lately but still makes only 39.3% fomn the floor, including 33.7 on threes.
Houston: James Harden is running Mike D'Antoni's system to perfection. The All-Star guard is enjoying his best all-around season (28.6-7.8-12.4) and posted his fourth consecutive double-double with 28 points and 11 assists in a 99-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. More good news has come Houston's way with the return of guard Patrick Beverley. Beverley underwent left knee surgery during the preseason and his impact is so much greater than the 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game he provided last season. He is the team's best individual perimeter defender and his influence on that end of the court has been sorely missed. Beverley has played alongside of Harden the last three games (all wins), averaging 25 minutes and is 11-of-21 from the floor since his return (8.3 PPG).
The pick: This marks Toronto's fourth road game in six days (not good) but I am not a fan of teams overly dominated by one player like the Rockets (with Harden) or OKC (with Westbrook). Gordon is Houston's second-leading scorer at 15.4 PPG and Anderson, now a starter at SF, checks in third at 12.2 PPG. However, Gordon is making just 40.7% from the floor and Anderson 38.4%. The Rockets can be had and I'm making Toronto a 10* play.
