Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Vegas Play of the Day: Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets

Nets vs. Raptors Game 7

Frank Gunn, the Canadian Press / AP

The Toronto Raptors’ Terrence Ross (31) drives to the net against the Brooklyn Nets’ Deron Williams (8) and Paul Pierce (34) as the Nets’ Kevin Garnett (2) boxes out the Raptors’ Jonas Valanciunas during the first half of Game 7 of the opening-round NBA basketball playoff series in Toronto on Sunday, May 4, 2014.

Not many would have thought the Eastern Conference would boast the more compelling NBA playoff race a couple weeks ago.

But with the Oklahoma City Thunder have seemingly pulled away for the final spot in the West — they’re now better than 80 percent to reach the postseason according to John Hollinger’s playoff odds — the East is more tightly contested. Six teams are within four wins of each other for the final two spots, which makes every game count greatly, including today’s selection in the South Point-lined Play of the Day, which uses $10,000 starting bankrolls.

Toronto Raptors pick’em at Charlotte Hornets: $330 to win $300

Recent results have gone too far in shading this line. The Hornets have won three straight to place themselves in the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot, while the Raptors toiled to losses in six of seven since the All-Star break.

But looking at the season as a whole, Toronto is leaps ahead of Charlotte. When these two teams played a couple months ago, Toronto laid 12.5 points at home.

That the Raptors got upset 103-95 in the contest is secondary to acknowledging a 12.5-point swing is too much, no matter who is on the court. Charlotte’s Al Jefferson, who missed the first meeting, is having one of his best stretches of the season while Toronto’s best player, Kyle Lowry, may miss his fourth straight game tonight.

But Lowry isn’t dealing with any serious injuries, meaning there’s a strong chance he’s back sooner rather than later as Toronto tries to keep pace in the race for the second seed in the East. The Raptors can get by without Lowry, anyway.

Jonas Valanciunas continues to progress and can disrupt the Hornets’ strong inside game. Lou Williams and DeMar DeRozan are more than capable of upping their offensive output should Lowry miss another game.

Five of the Raptors’ six losses during their downturn — to the Cavaliers, Warriors, Mavericks, Pelicans and Rockets — were to teams much better than the Hornets. Don’t get drawn into thinking the Raptors’ issues are permanent.

Standings: Keefer (67-67-2, $10,087), Bern (68-62-1, $9,646), Brewer (60-71-3, $3,565)

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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