Raptors vs. Wizards Prediction
The Washington Wizards used their home court to record a victory in Game 3 over the top-seeded Toronto Raptors. Is Washington going to be able to even the series today with another win as Game 4 tips off?
Game Snapshot
505 Toronto Raptors at 506 Washington Wizards
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Capital One Arena at 6PM ET
TV: TNT
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Raptors are a 2-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under sits at 218.5 points. As of Sunday morning, 54 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Toronto. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Wall, Beal both outstanding
Down 2-0 heading back home for Game 3, Washington needed a big effort from an least one of its star guard duo John Wall and Bradley Beal if not an outstanding game out of them. As it turns out, both did shine and the Wizards rolled to a 122-103 win to cut their series deficit to 2-1. Wall shot 12-of-23 from the floor for 28 points to go with 14 assists, six rebounds, four steals and a blocked shot. Beal also scored 28 on 10-of-19 shooting including 4-of-9 shooting, while also adding four rebounds plus four assists and three steals. Three other Washington players were in double figures in scoring, but it was the two starting guards who highlighted the triumph.
Turnovers, defense hurt Toronto
The Raptors shot a solid enough 45.1 percent from the field and were strong from 3-point range at 12-of-28 in Game 3, but they also turned it over 18 times while only forcing 11. Washington shot 55.3 percent from the floor and was even better from 3-point range at 10-of-23. If Toronto wants to head home with a 3-1 series lead, it must shore up those two areas considerably. Four of the five Raptors starters had at least two turnovers in the game, including point guard Kyle Lowry with a team-high five giveaways in 35 minutes.
NBA Betting Trends
Toronto
The over is 4-0 in the last four Toronto games overall. The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Washington
The under is 3-0-1 in the last four Wizards games on Sunday. The over is 6-0 in the last six Washington games versus an opponent with a winning percentage over .600.
Prediction:
Toronto was outclassed in Game 3, but it has the best record in the Eastern Conference for a reason. The veteran core for the Raptors should bounce back strong in this contest and I’m comfortable taking them as a small favorite.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: TORONTO RAPTORS -2