Top seed Toronto was expected to breeze in the first round of post season. Washington limped in as a big underdog. Yet now the series is tied at two wins apiece. “You aren’t in playoff trouble until you lose at home.” So goes the old adage anyway. But this series has become too close for Raptors comfort. And a NBA betting online failure in game five would be catastrophic. Yes, the pressure is now on full blast in TO. Can the Raptors rise to the occasion? Or are they a paper tiger pretender?
Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors Game 5
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 7 p.m. Eastern
Location: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wizards | +7 (-110) | 216 (-110) |  |
| Raptors | -7 (-110) | 216 (-110) | |
| |||
Wizards vs. Raptors TV Coverage: NBATV
Series so Far
Home cooking has been the NBA betting online story of this series. Toronto paid in the first two games 114-106 and 130-119. Washington returned the favor with wins of 122-103 and 106-98. Game six will be in Washington on Friday. If game seven is needed Toronto gets it on Sunday. Washington’s advantage has gone beyond home court. Their star player Bradley Beal is getting support. Toronto ace Demar DeRozan is not. Wizards coach Scott Brooks is taking advantage of the Raps lack of depth.
Washington
Washington had merely average numbers heading into the playoffs. Outside of Bradley Beal they didn’t seem to have much. But John Wall has proven otherwise. Wall has the hot hand with 27 points per game in this series. As a result, Beal has been freer to do his thing. Game four was a prime example of this dynamic duo. Wall had 27 points with 14 assists while Beal scored 31. Should Washington pull off the upset Wall will be a major factor.
Toronto
DeMar DeRozan had 35 points in the game four loss. So far in the series he is averaging 28 points per game. The crisis for Toronto is that he is getting little help. Kyle Lowry’s 15 points per game are second best in the playoffs. Which is illustrative of the Raptors lack of secondary scoring. Offensive support for DeRozan was the elephant in the room this year for TO. Now in the playoffs the Wizards are exposing the issue.
Toronto’s Numbers
Head to head Toronto has covered eight of their last 13 against Washington. Four of the last six in this sportsbook series went over the total. At Air Canada Centre the Raps have four payouts in their last six vs. Washington. Eight of the last 11 between these teams at TO went under.
Matchup to Watch
Toronto was the best team in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. But they are feeling the heat now. Realistically the are the deeper team in this matchup. And DeMar DeRozan is the best player on the court. DeRozan gives the Raptors a big NBA betting online edge. Defensively the Raps are also the better team. Look for head coach Dwane Casey to have his team ready. Expect the Raptors to reassert their authority.
Wizards vs. Raptors NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Look for Toronto to play its best game of the year. Home court has been the advantage all series thus far.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Toronto Raptors
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Raptors 110, Wizards 99