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Portland/Toronto under 189
When those two teams met 2 weeks ago it was a game that started the Blazers current 5-game winning streak. The game ended with the Blazers win on away court 93-83. This game also was the first game for the Raptors to play without Chris Bosh, who is suffering a knee injury that will sideline him also tonight.
Both of those 2 teams are naturally with a defensive mindset. Yes, Raptors are averaging 96,8 points per game, but there are few games (vs PHX, GSW, NYK and DEN) where they have been forced to play up-tempo game and scoring for both sides has gone up. If we take out games against the Warriors and the Suns then the Raptors are averaging only 87,8 points and allowing 90 points per game ever since Bosh got injured. There is an obvious reason, as the Raptors coach Sam Mitchell has said with current injuries, he needs a top class performance at the defensive end and slower tempo to give the team a chance to win.
Much of the same also applies for the Blazers. They are averaging 91.4 points and allowing 85,4 points over their 5-game winning streak. They prefer half-court games and if not forced to run, their games are staying low scoring.
We see this game as a low scoring. Over/Under line 189 points is at least 6-7 points higher where it should be. Toronto lacks scoring power right now and Portland has won its games mainly thanks to their defence. Under 189 points with medium stakes!
read other analyses from www.nbatip.com
When those two teams met 2 weeks ago it was a game that started the Blazers current 5-game winning streak. The game ended with the Blazers win on away court 93-83. This game also was the first game for the Raptors to play without Chris Bosh, who is suffering a knee injury that will sideline him also tonight.
Both of those 2 teams are naturally with a defensive mindset. Yes, Raptors are averaging 96,8 points per game, but there are few games (vs PHX, GSW, NYK and DEN) where they have been forced to play up-tempo game and scoring for both sides has gone up. If we take out games against the Warriors and the Suns then the Raptors are averaging only 87,8 points and allowing 90 points per game ever since Bosh got injured. There is an obvious reason, as the Raptors coach Sam Mitchell has said with current injuries, he needs a top class performance at the defensive end and slower tempo to give the team a chance to win.
Much of the same also applies for the Blazers. They are averaging 91.4 points and allowing 85,4 points over their 5-game winning streak. They prefer half-court games and if not forced to run, their games are staying low scoring.
We see this game as a low scoring. Over/Under line 189 points is at least 6-7 points higher where it should be. Toronto lacks scoring power right now and Portland has won its games mainly thanks to their defence. Under 189 points with medium stakes!
read other analyses from www.nbatip.com