Raptors Face Clippers Tonight in L.A.
The Toronto Raptors take their Atlantic Division lead into Staples Center tonight to take on the Pacific Division leaders, the Los Angeles Clippers. Timing is on the side of the Raptors as they will be the last team to face the Clippers before the return of superstar point guard Chris Paul. Paul is expected to play on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Clippers did pretty well without Paul. They maintained their lead in the division despite a tough stretch of games without their best player. They have lost two straight games but have won six of their last ten and hold a three game lead in the division over the Golden State Warriors and 3.5 over the Phoenix Suns. A win tonight over Toronto would be a huge lift with Paul coming back on Sunday.
The Raptors are 26-23 and also hold a three game lead in the division. They have also won six of their last ten and are also coming off a loss in their previous game, a 109-101 loss to the Sacramento Kings. The Brooklyn Nets have fought back to within three games at 22-25 and the New York Knicks are in third place now, seven games back at 19-30. Both will be in action on Friday .
The Nets will visit the Detroit Pistons while the Knicks will host the Denver Nuggets. It is doubtful the Pistons will give the Nets much trouble. They were shellacked by the Orlando Magic earlier this week 112-98 while the Nets thumped the San Antonio Spurs in their last game 103-89. Denver and New York should be a tight contest as the Knicks need to snap a three game skid.
Top Bet has the odds on these games:
Brooklyn at Detroit– Brooklyn is +1.5 -110 and Detroit is -1.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Brooklyn EVEN and Detroit -120. Brooklyn should win this game easily. Take the Nets EVEN.
Denver at New York– Denver is +2 -110 and New York is -2 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Denver +110 and the Knicks -130. We like the Knicks -2 -110 in this one.
Toronto at Los Angeles Clippers– Toronto is +5.5 -110 and the Clippers are -5.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Toronto +190 and the Clippers -230. We like the Raptors to beat the spread in this one but the Clippers to win the game. So take the Raptors +5.5 -110 and the Clippers -230.
