Wizards vs. Raptors Prediction
The Toronto Raptors were sharp in Game 1 as they took the lead in their first round series against the Washington Wizards. Are the Raptors going to make it two postseason wins in a row on their home court tonight?
Game Snapshot
705 Washington Wizards at 706 Toronto Raptors
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Air Canada Centre at 7PM ET
TV: NBATV
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Raptors are a 6.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 215 points. As of Tuesday morning, exactly 50 percent of public bets are coming in on the Wizards and the Raptors. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for the latest information.
VanVleet still listed as questionable
Toronto backup point guard Fred VanVleet has carved out an important role this season and averaged 8.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game with a PER of 15.90. But VanVleet was unavailable in Game 1 due to a shoulder injury and his status is in question for Game 2. In his absence, fellow backup guard Delon Wright was fantastic off the bench with 18 points along with four assists and three steals in 25 minutes. Part of Toronto’s success this season was in having a deep and talented bench. While VanVleet is a big part of the equation, it has to be comforting to the Raptors that Wright can also be a big-time playoff contributor as a guard off the bench.
Perimeter shooting boosts Raptors
Toronto drained 16 3-pointers on 30 attempts in Game 1, leading it to the 114-106 victory. Every time the Wizards seemed to be making a push toward taking control of the action, the Raptors responded with a deflating 3-pointer. CJ Miles was 4-of-7 on 3-pointers off the bench for all 12 of his points, while Wright connected on 3-of-4 from long range. The starters factored in too as they combined for an 8-of-17 effort on 3-pointers. Look for the long ball to again be employed with reckless abandon in Game 2.
NBA Betting Trends
Washington
The over is 5-0 in the last five Wizards games on Tuesdays. Washington is 1-8 ATS in its last nine road games. The Wizards are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Toronto
The Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last four conference quarterfinals games. The under is 5-1 in the last six meetings in Toronto. The Raptors are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four home games.
Prediction:
Toronto is now 35-7 straight up at home after the Game 1 win. The spread was -8 for the first game and the Raptors pushed, while it is now .-6.5 for Game 2. Toronto could be in better shape if VanVleet returns and at the very least, it felt like the Raptors had more to offer in Game 1 while Washington played about as well as it could have. I’m taking Toronto again tonight.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: TORONTO RAPTORS -6.5