NBA Picks: Toronto at New Jersey
Written by Greg Waters
Fri, 4 Mar 2011
Category sportsbook
Feedback Rating - no votes
Toronto has a 2-2 straight-up and ATS record since the All-Star break and tonight travels to New Jersey looking to extend a six-game winning streak vs. the New Jersey Nets.
Looking down the list of tonight's NBA odds, home teams are favored in nearly every matchup including this one, but the Nets (-2.5) is far from sure-thing vs. a Raptors (17-44) team they haven't beat since 2008.
A lot has changed for New Jersey (17-43) since the last meeting between these teams on Dec. 17, a 98-92 Raptors win, and while the Nets seem as if they are on the verge of turning a corner with Deron Williams they have yet to find the win column.
New Jersey has played some tough opponents, including the league-leading San Antonio Spurs (Williams' first game), but the bottom line reads '6-straight losses' and we look for a focused effort from this group tonight.
OVER/UNDER
If there is one thing New Jersey has been good for with Williams, its cashing tickets on "Over" bets. New Jersey has played over the number three-straight times and the Nets are 7-0 O/U on three day's rest, including a perfect 5-0 O/U mark this season.
Sportsbooks opened the line for this game at 200.5 and it was immediately bet up to 201.5. That's just the 11th time this year the Nets have played with a total of 200 points or more and through the first 10 games they've recorded 7 overs and 3 unders.
PREDICTION
The past three games between Toronto and New Jersey all finished under the total and the average line was 202.7. Toronto has increased its average 'Points for' the past five games but the Raptors still give up 104.8, third-most in the conference.
With home court and a revenge list that stretches back nearly three years, we look for a feisty effort from the Nets and feel that between the two, this game has a strong chance of clearing the number.
Pick: Take the Over
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