by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Nov 06, 2021
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Where to watch: YES, TSN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
BetMGM: Nets -3.5
Caesars: NL
Season record
Nets: 6-3
Raptors: 6-4
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Nets - Raptors preview and analysis
Recent form
Nets: won four straight, won 96-90 at Pistons on Friday
Raptors: won five of six, lost 102-101 vs. Cavaliers on Friday
Don’t look now, but the Toronto Raptors may be getting some much-needed help on the horizon.
All-Star forward Pascal Siakam could make his return Sunday when the Raptors host the Brooklyn Nets, which would be a welcomed addition to a Raptors team that has played its collective tail off through the first 10 games.
Toronto had its five-game winning streak end on Friday in a one-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers (another strong, young team in the Eastern Conference).
OG Anunoby continued his strong start to the season with a team-high 23 points along with six rebounds and five assists. Anunoby had a chance to win at the buzzer but missed, and Scottie Barnes missed the tip-in.
"That one felt strange to lose," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. "I think we played pretty hard and I think we played pretty well."
If Siakam does return, that’s a major boost to an athletic group that’s primed for a bounce-back season after playing 2021 in Tampa. Siakam has been rocked with injuries the past two seasons, playing only 56 games last year, but he still averaged 21 points and seven rebounds per game; right on par with his All-Star numbers the season prior.
The Raptors look like a team primed to make another run at the playoffs, but the Atlantic Division is not going to be an easy grind for Toronto especially with Brooklyn, the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers also at the forefront.
The Nets are on a four-game winning streak after a 6-point victory at the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Kevin Durant had a game-high 29 points, and James Harden recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists despite shooting 3 of 10 from the field.
"I was getting to my spots, but my fundamentals weren't there," Durant said Friday after shooting 12 of 27. "If I had made the shots I should have made, it wouldn't have been close down the stretch."
The Nets continue to progress through this season without Kyrie Irving in the fold, and now with New York City mayor-elect Eric Adams not changing the vaccine mandate, Irving is either sticking to his guns or playing at some point. The situation continues to be crazy as we go along.
Prediction
If there’s one thing you can expect from the Raptors it’s athleticism on defense. The offense is still a work in progress and there’s no immediate fix until Siakam comes back. But with Durant and Harden struggling with their shot on Friday against Detroit, imagine what a better defense can do against that group. Toronto wins a close one. Raptors by 5
Betting trends
The Nets are 4-4 ATS as a favorite this season.
The under is 8-1 in all Nets games this season.
The Raptors are 1-5 ATS at home this season.
The Raptors are 6-14 ATS the past three seasons as a home dog.
Projected starting lineup
Nets:
PG: James Harden
SG: Joe Harris
SF: Bruce Brown
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Blake Griffin
SF: Bruce Brown
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Blake Griffin
Raptors:
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: Gary Trent Jr.
SF: OG Anunoby
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Precious Achiuwa
SF: OG Anunoby
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Precious Achiuwa
Key injuries
Nets: PF Nic Claxton (illness, out), PG Kyrie Irving (personal, out)
Raptors: PF Pascal Siakam (shoulder, questionable)
Statistical leaders
Nets:
Points: Kevin Durant -- 28.3
Rebounds: Kevin Durant -- 8.8
Assists: James Harden -- 9.0
Blocks: LaMarcus Aldridge -- 1.2
Steals: Bruce Brown -- 1.2
Raptors:
Points: OG Anunoby -- 20.6
Rebounds: Scottie Barnes -- 8.9
Assists: Fred VanVleet -- 7.1
Blocks: Chris Boucher -- 0.8
Steals: Gary Trent Jr. -- 3.1
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
