In the anticipated matchup marking the return from the All-Star break, the Toronto Raptors are poised to square off against the Brooklyn Nets on their home turf on Thursday night.
With both teams reeling to regain momentum, it’s worth noting that Scottie Barnes stands as the lone representative from either squad who graced the All-Star stage.
Bet on Nets vs. Raptors
BKL +2
TOR -2
Preceding the break, the Nets found themselves in a precarious position, having succumbed to a disappointing two-game skid, while the Raptors faced an equally daunting three-game losing streak. One team will come out victorious and end their streak tonight.
Let’s look at the betting odds via bet365 for this upcoming matchup.
Nets vs. Raptors odds
| Nets Moneyline Odds | +110 |
| Raptors Moneyline Odds | -130 |
| Over/Under | 231.5 points (over -110, under -110) |
| Spread | Raptors -2 (-110) |
| Time/Date | Feb. 22, 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN4 Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?) |
All odds courtesy of 
About the Nets (21-33 SU, 24-27-3 ATS, 25-28-1 o/u)
In their final outing before the All-Star break, the Nets endured a devastating defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics, suffering a staggering 50-point blowout. The loss was compounded by lacklustre performances from every key player on the Nets roster, resulting in an overall disappointing showing. Particularly notable was the struggling trio of Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas, and Dennis Schroder, who collectively managed to convert just seven of their 29 field-goal attempts. Following such a demoralizing setback, the Nets are undoubtedly eager to turn the page and rebound emphatically as they prepare to face the Raptors.
The upcoming matchup against the Raptors presents several enticing opportunities for the Nets to capitalize on their opponent’s defensive weaknesses. Notably, the Raptors have shown vulnerability in surrendering a high number of assists to point guards, positioning players like Thomas and Schroder to orchestrate the offence effectively and exploit gaps in the defence. Moreover, the Raptors’ propensity for conceding the most points in the league to small forwards sets the stage for Bridges to showcase his scoring prowess and make a significant impact on the game. Given the developmental stage of the Raptors’ roster, this presents an ideal scenario for Bridges, Thomas, Schroder, and the Nets to bounce back emphatically and secure a much-needed victory.
About the Raptors (19-36 SU, 26-29 ATS, 29-26 o/u)
As the Raptors navigate through a recent stretch of inconsistency, securing victories in just three of their last seven outings, it appears evident that their focus lies in nurturing the growth of their youthful talents. With an eye toward securing a coveted top-six draft pick, the organization seems keen on retaining their first-round selection for the upcoming draft.
In their final game before the All-Star break against the Indiana Pacers, Pascal Siakam’s return to Toronto set the stage for a captivating clash that was ultimately decided by the narrowest of margins. Despite the tight contest, Siakam showcased his prowess with a stellar performance, sealing the win with a clutch basket. Yet, it was the youthful trio of the Raptors who truly stole the spotlight. Scottie Barnes delivered a jaw-dropping performance, tallying an impressive stat line of 29 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, along with a block and a steal, shooting an efficient 54.5% from the field. Meanwhile, RJ Barrett showcased his scoring prowess with 23 points, complemented by nine rebounds, three assists, and contributions on both ends of the floor, shooting an impressive 52.9%. Not to be overshadowed, Immanuel Quickley delivered a well-rounded performance, chipping in with 14 points, six rebounds, and seven assists on 45.5% shooting. Noteworthy contributions also came from Jakob Poeltl, who notched a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, alongside three assists, a steal, and a block. As the Raptors continue to nurture their young core, such displays of talent offer glimpses of a promising future for the franchise.
As the youthful Raptors gear up to take on the Nets, there are several key areas where they can potentially exploit weaknesses in their opponent’s defence. Notably, the Nets rank among the league’s most generous teams in terms of points surrendered and three-pointers conceded to point guards, presenting a prime opportunity for Quickley to capitalize on their defensive vulnerabilities. Moreover, their susceptibility to yielding rebounds and three-pointers to shooting guards positions gives Gary Trent Jr. a favourable matchup, as he looks to make his presence felt on the boards and from beyond the arc. Additionally, the Nets’ defensive struggles extend to small forwards, where they allow a considerable number of points and rebounds, a scenario that bodes well for Barrett as he aims to assert his influence on the game. With these advantageous matchups in mind, the young Raptors undoubtedly have the potential to exploit gaps in the Nets’ defence and secure a crucial victory.
Immanuel Quickley over 2.5 threes made
+120
Injury concerns
There are no new injuries to report.
Betting trends
- The Nets are 5-0 SU in the past five meetings.
- The under is 8-1 in Toronto’s last nine home games.
- The under is 5-1 in the past six meetings between the teams.
Player prop trends
- Scottie has grabbed over 7.5 rebounds in his last four games. He’s averaging 8.1 rebounds for the season and his line is at -115 to grab over 7.5 rebounds against the Nets.
- Barrett has recorded one steal in each of his last four games. He’s averaging 0.5 steals for the season and his line is at -165 to steal the ball over 0.5 times against the Nets.
- Bridges has grabbed under 4.5 rebounds in four of his last five games. He’s averaging 4.9 rebounds for the season and his line is at -155 to grab less than 4.5 rebounds against the Raptors.
Wagers to consider
- Parlay – Quickley over 2.5 threes; Trent Jr over 1.5 threes: +240. The Nets defence gives up lots of threes (13.6 per game), especially to opposing point and shooting guards.
- Under 231.5 total points: -110. Both teams have been trending towards the under in their past few games.
