Often forgotten in NBA circles, media and fans alike rarely
touch on the only basketball franchise north of the border. While Kawhi Leonard now plys his trade for the
Los Angeles Clippers, head coach Nick Nurse has kept his team squarely in the
NBA title conversation. Incredibly, nearly every player on the team’s roster
has missed time through injury this season. Yet, Toronto sits second in the
Eastern Conference, and at this point feels like the only team with a
legitimate shot at defeating the Milwaukee Bucks.
Overlooking the reigning, defending, NBA champions would be
a mistake. During their recent fifteen game win streak, the Raptors scored
118.7 points per hundred possessions. Good for the top rating in the league.
Remarkably, seven players are averaging double digits in scoring. Toronto is
winning as a team, and there’s nothing wrong with that. With so many
contributors, opposing team’s can’t focus on stopping just one man. The team’s
secondary scoring is just one reason they will be tough to stop come playoff
time.
Even without Kawhi Leonard, Toronto is menacing on the
defensive end. They force turnovers at an astonishing rate, and are sure to
capitalize on opposing teams’ mistakes. While on their momentous run of
victories, the Raptors forced nearly 19 turnovers per game, leading to an extra
23.2 points per game. Defense still wins championships.
How the Raptors Long Shot NBA Title Odds Can Pay You Off Large
Nick’s Nurses squad is on fire offensively as well. They’re
shooting over 40% from three, while leading the league in effective and true
shooting percentage since the streak began. Any team can go cold from the
field, as the Raptors recent streak-snapping loss to Brooklyn demonstrates.
However, the team up north is also third in assists per game. Toronto plays
organized team basketball as well as any in the Association.
Betting odds are stacked against the Raptors. Currently
listed at +4000 to repeat as NBA Champions, they represent some of the best
value on the board. Once Marc Gasol is fully healthy, this team is a legitimate
defensive beast. Eastern conference challengers will struggle to score against
this unit in the playoffs. On top of that, the Raptors can get scorching hot
offensively, and have the scoring depth to go head to head with the NBA’s best.
Don’t forget about the defending champion Toronto Raptors while betting on the
2020 NBA Championship.
