Toronto-raptors vs Brooklyn Nets Picks and Predictions December 19th 2024

Toronto-Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets December 19th 2024

The Brooklyn Nets will travel to Toronto to take on the Raptors in an Eastern Atlantic Division matchup. The Nets are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference, while the Raptors are 14th.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 ET at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors are favored by 3.5 points and have a moneyline of -168. The over/under line is set at 218.

Nets vs. Raptors Key Information

The Nets dropped to 10-16 on the season after a 130-101 loss to the Cavaliers on Monday. Brooklyn, who were +10.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread at home. The total points for the game reached 231, surpassing the O/U line of 215.5 by 15.5 points.

Cleveland took control early with a 16-0 run, extending the score from 17-15 to 31-17. The Nets struggled in the first half, falling behind 72-40. Brooklyn showed some fight in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Cavs 37-32, but they entered the 4th down 104-77 and couldn’t mount a comeback.

Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 22 points and 5 assists in their 130-101 loss to the Cavaliers, shooting 50% from the field and hitting 3 threes at a 50% clip. Day’Ron Sharpe added 15 points and 7 rebounds, also shooting 50%, while Jalen Wilson contributed 13 points, knocking down 4 threes at 50% efficiency.

Brooklyn hit 14 threes, shooting 41.2% from deep, but their overall field goal percentage was just 42%. Johnson scored 8 points in the 3rd quarter, while Wilson added 9 of his 13 points in the 2nd quarter.

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The Nets struggled defensively on Monday, giving up 130 points to the Cavaliers. Brooklyn allowed 37 points in the 1st quarter and 35 in the 2nd, with Cleveland shooting 53% from the field. The Nets’ best defensive effort came in the 4th quarter, where they allowed 26 points.

Brooklyn also had trouble defending the three, as the Cavaliers hit 19 threes at a 40% clip. Cleveland went to the line 29 times, making 25 free throws. The Nets finished with 26 defensive rebounds, while giving up 12 offensive boards. They added 11 steals and 2 blocks.

The Raptors fell to 7-20 on the season after a 122-121 home loss to the Bulls on Monday. Toronto entered the game as +1 underdogs, and the final score resulted in a push for bettors. The total points for the game were 243, just over the 239.5-point line.

Toronto’s 4th-quarter rally, where they outscored Chicago 37-27, wasn’t enough to overcome a 95-84 deficit heading into the final period. The Raptors had previously closed the gap in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Bulls 25-20, but a 42-34 3rd quarter in favor of Chicago put them back on their heels.

RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 32 points and 9 assists in their 122-121 loss to the Bulls, shooting 45.8% from the field and hitting 2 threes at a 50% rate. Gradey Dick added 27 points, knocking down 3 threes despite shooting 33.3% from deep.

Toronto shot 48.9% from the field as a team, connecting on 9 threes at a 34.6% clip. Dick scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, while Barrett added 7 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters.

The Raptors’ defense had a strong 2nd quarter, holding the Bulls to just 20 points, but they struggled in the 3rd, giving up 42 points in a 122-121 loss. Toronto allowed Chicago to shoot 46% from the field.

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From beyond the arc, the Raptors allowed 14 threes on 35% shooting. They sent the Bulls to the line 28 times, where they made 22 free throws. Toronto finished with 7 steals and 6 blocks.

We’re putting our money on the Raptors to win, and have the projected score sitting at 120-70. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Raptors at -3.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 218, and our model predicts the Nets and Raptors to score a combined 190 points. We recommend betting on the under.

Nets and Raptors Look to Halt Slumps in Toronto

Two struggling teams will meet on Thursday night in Toronto as the Brooklyn Nets take on the Toronto Raptors, each looking to end their respective losing streaks. The Nets have dropped three consecutive games and six of their past seven, while the Raptors are mired in a five-game skid.

Brooklyn Nets: Adjusting After Key Changes

The Nets are coming off a lopsided 130-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday in their first game since trading Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors. While the team started strong with a 12-5 lead, Cleveland dominated the remainder of the game, including a 32-5 run to close the first quarter.

Forward Nic Claxton summed up the team’s struggles:
“We just didn’t play hard enough. We didn’t fight. We didn’t take care of the ball. We just did everything wrong, honestly.”

Brooklyn’s offense faltered, shooting just 42 percent from the field, while the Cavaliers shot over 53 percent. Adding to their woes, the Nets committed 22 turnovers, which Cleveland converted into 34 points.

Coach Jordi Fernandez emphasized the need for accountability:
“I’m fighting with my guys, and the ones that are here, they’ll have to fight. If they don’t fight, there’s going to be consequences.”

Despite the struggles, guard Cameron Johnson remained optimistic:
“We have a versatile lineup with a lot of high-level defenders. We just need to build synergy and improve our reads.”

Toronto Raptors: Injury Woes Compound Struggles

The Raptors also suffered a tough loss on Monday, falling 122-121 to the Chicago Bulls. The defeat marked another blow as center Jakob Poeltl exited with a left groin strain, joining Scottie Barnes (sprained ankle) and Immanuel Quickley (elbow) on the injury list. Poeltl is ruled out for Thursday, while Barnes remains questionable.

Forced into an unfamiliar role as point guard, RJ Barrett stepped up with 32 points and nine assists, though he also committed six turnovers.
“I haven’t really played point guard too much in the NBA, so I’m just trying to go out there and figure it out,” Barrett admitted.

Toronto nearly pulled off a comeback after trailing by 16 in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to one before ultimately falling short.

Coach Darko Rajakovic noted the team’s struggles with energy and defensive focus:
“We were caught off guard by their transition game, even though it was a major emphasis for us going into this game. It took time for us to adjust.”

Rookie Gradey Dick, who scored 27 points, echoed Rajakovic’s sentiments:
“A lot of blow-bys, including me, I’ve got to pick that up. But there’s a lot of things we need to fix, and we’ll focus on those in practice.”

Key Matchups

Nic Claxton vs. Raptors’ Injured Frontcourt

With Poeltl sidelined, Claxton could dominate in the paint. His ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities could prove pivotal against a weakened Toronto interior.

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RJ Barrett vs. Brooklyn Defense

Barrett will likely continue as the Raptors’ primary playmaker. His ability to limit turnovers and create for teammates will be crucial against a Nets defense trying to find its footing.

Brooklyn’s Offense vs. Toronto’s Transition Game

The Nets’ 22 turnovers against Cleveland highlight a vulnerability Toronto will look to exploit. However, the Raptors’ defensive lapses in transition could give Brooklyn a chance to capitalize.

What’s at Stake

For Brooklyn, this game represents an opportunity to reset and build chemistry after a significant roster change. For Toronto, it’s a chance to rally despite injuries and stop the bleeding before their skid grows longer.

The Bottom Line

Both teams are desperate for a win, but the outcome may hinge on which side can clean up its turnovers and bring defensive intensity. With injuries mounting for Toronto and Brooklyn seeking to adjust post-Schroder, this game promises a scrappy, high-effort contest between two teams fighting to regain momentum.