Posted on
1/29/2008 4:54:42 PM
NBA Basketball Betting – Toronto at Washington
By Charles Jay
WHO: Toronto Raptors (24-19 SU, 25-18 ATS) at Washington Wizards (23-19 SU, 26-15-1 ATS)
WHERE: Verizon Center, Washington DC
WHEN: Tuesday, January 29 at 7 PM ET
BetUS NBA betting odds: WASHINGTON -2, Total 192
In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:
* TOR has won and covered four of the last six meetings
* The last seven meetings have gone OVER the total
* The home team has covered five of the last six meetings
* WASH is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight meetings as the home team
* WASH is 7-1 SU in the last eight meetings as the home team
* The last five meetings in Washington have gone OVER the total
* TOR has had the shooting edge in five of the last six meetings
* TOR has had the rebounding edge in four of the last six meetings
Toronto currently ranks second in the NBA in free throw percentage (81%). The Raptors have a sparkling 2-to-1 ratio of turnovers to assists. That's because they take care of the ball, turning it over only 11.5 times a game. Also:
* TOR has won and covered four of its last five games
* TOR has played five of its last seven games OVER the total
* TOR has played four of its last five road games OVER the total
Washington isn't far behind Toronto as far as shooting free throws, as the Wizards have made 79.5% of their attempts. They have averaged 7.9 steals a game, and are holding opponents to 44.7% shooting. Also:
* WASH has won six of its last nine games SU
* WASH has covered 11 of its last 16 games
* WASH has played four of its last six games OVER the total
* WASH has played 15 of its last 23 games UNDER the total
* WASH has won and covered five of its last six home games
* WASH has played 11 of its last 13 home games UNDER the total
Even though the Wizards went to Milwaukee and tasted defeat, they've still been defending pretty well, limiting nine of the last 12 opponents to less than 100 points. And the Verizon Center has been a friendly place for them, as they've covered 12 out of 16 as a home favorite.
Toronto, though, has won and covered four of its last five and seven of its last nine, and when they come to the nation's capital it will be with three full days of rest. The play of Jose Calderon at point guard has made a lot of people forget T.J. Ford. And while Antawn Jamison is scrappy, Chris Bosh is probably tougher than what Washington has on the front line.
To top it off, the Raptors have been a very hot shooting team. they have hit 49% in the month of January thus far, and in each of the last five, they've been between 48% and 58%. And they made 15 from beyond the arc in the two-point win over Boston last Wednesday.
They're worth a look here as the two-point underdogs in the BetUS NBA betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: TORONTO
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(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)