2008-09 Toronto Raptors Wagering Preview

While the Toronto Raptors, (41-41 SU, 39-42-1 ATS, 41-40-1 O/U) posted a respectable .500 record in the BetUS Sportsbook in 2007-08, going 41-41 straight up, (SU), during the regular season, the Raptors didn’t stand pat following their short postseason appearance which concluded with a ‘one-and-done’ 4-1 series loss to the Orlando Magic.

No, the Raptors went out and made some dramatic offseason transactions in order to improve their ballclub in 2008-09 and seem to clearly be on the right track toward bettering their record this upcoming season if you ask me.

Toronto also put up decent wagering numbers last season for BetUS NBA bettors, going 22-19 against the spread, (ATS), at home and 17-23-1 ATS on the road while also putting up a solid Over/Under, (O/U) wagering numbers in 2007-08, going 19-21-1 O/U at home and 22-19 O/U on the road.

Led by all-star center/power forward, Chris Bosh, 22.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg) the Raptors took second place behind the league champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference’s weak Atlantic division last season.

However, it is Toronto’s offseason transactions that have the Raptors, their fans and hoops bettors everywhere expecting bigger and better things out of the ballclub in 08-09.

Starting with the addition of veteran low post force, Jermaine O’Neal, whom the team acquired in a trade with the Indiana Pacers for fleet-footed, but oft-injured point guard T.J. Ford – and continuing with the elevation of part-time starting point guard Jose Calderon, the Raptors seem to be moving in the right direction.

The Raptors averaged 100.2 points per game last season, (13th) on 46.8 percent field goal shooting, (7th), but grabbed just 9.6 offensive rebounds per game, (26th) last season.

Defensively, Toronto did an excellent job, holding their opponents to average just 97.3 points per game, (10th) but again, were just mediocre on the boards, grabbing 30.4 defensive boards per game, (15th).

BetUS NBA Basketball bettors can expect some improvement from the Raptors in 2008-09, as O’Neal and Bosh will undoubtedly give the Raptors a very formidable front court presence while the elevation of the all-star caliber Calderon, (11.8 ppg) should turn out to be a stroke of genius after he shined in a big way after an injury to Ford last season forced him to become the team’s sole starter for a significant period of time last season.

Young, ‘high-flyer’ Jamario Moon is poised for a breakout season aftrer scoring 5.4 points per game last season and grabbing 4.8 rebounds per contest.

Dead-eye three point shooter Jason Kapono, (15.6 ppg) and athletic swingman Anthony Parker, (11.4 ppg) are solid players a well. Now, if the Raptors can get something out of former No. 1 overall pick, forward Andrea Bargnani, this team could really be something, though Bargnani has ‘major bust’ written all over him at this point.

The Raptors are + 800 to win the Eastern Conference and +5000 to win the NBA title in the BetUS online Sportsbook.