Los Angeles Clippers (38-34 SU, 38-33-1 ATS) vs. Toronto Raptors (54-19 SU, 40-33 ATS)
Time: March 25th, 2018 6:05 PM ET
Where: Toronto, ON
TV: TSN
by Keith, Professional NBA Handicapper, Predictem
Odds
Point Spread: Toronto -8
Total Line: 225.5
In this market, the Raptors opened as a nine-point favorite initially. Nevertheless, we have seen a one-point line movement downward to indicate action has come in on Los Angeles. The opening price in the Over/Under market was 227, but action on the Under has pushed this market downward by 1.5 points. On the Money Line, the Clippers are priced at +350 contrasting to Toronto who comes in as a -380 home favorite.
The Toronto Raptors will host the Los Angeles Clippers in a cross-conference collision scheduled to take place at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The tip-off is 6:05 PM ET and is due to be aired on TSN for regional demographics. The Raptors and the Clippers have both played each other well as of late. In fact, the series has been quite even-sided. The two parties have split the last four games with two wins per side. Presently, Toronto sits on top of the Eastern Conference with a playoff berth locked in. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is fighting to make the post-season in the wake of departures of both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. In the last meeting between both clubs in Los Angeles in December, the Raptors were defeated by the Clippers by a margin of 96-91.
There are many key betting trends worth mentioning in this game. The Great White North has been a fortress for the Raptors. Toronto is 30-6 SU at home this season. On the contrary, in against the spread markets Toronto is just 19-17 at home. Los Angeles is 18-19 SU on the road. Because Los Angeles is architected in similar regard with respect to their home court, the Clippers have not done so bad outside of Lob City. The Raptors have won eight of their last ten overall. The Clippers have won just one game in their last six outings.
Toronto is a hot team to back and very hard to pass on at home. Given the fact, the Raptors have played at an elite level all season long; it is straightforward here to digest the points. The Raptors offense can be catalytic with guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan anchoring the attack for Toronto.
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The Clippers are hungry. Very simply, they need to win games at this point more than Toronto. Thus, Lob City will be more inclined to throw the kitchen sink at the Raptors to get out of Canada with a win. Desperate times call for such measures, and Los Angeles needs to win out if they wish to have any chance of a playoff berth. This desperation makes them a good play with the points.
From a public money perspective, 59% of the consensus cash and 70% of the ticket action is with the Raptors against the spread. In the Over/Under, we have seen 60% of the cash and 54% ticket action come in on the Over.
We have championed the narrative that when you back Toronto at home, any taker can expect to pay a premium to do so. This is driven by the fact that the line is prone to being inflated. This scenario is only enhanced further by the fact that Los Angeles has been in poor form as of recent. When you toss in the ideology that West Coast teams struggle mightily playing on the East Coast, the action on Toronto seems that more appetizing to the eye. However, Los Angeles has the mojo in this game. After all, the Clips knows how to beat this team as they did so in the last meeting between the two. Expect LA to keep this close and come in under the number.
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