Wizards vs Raptors NBA Preview and Prediction 3/04/23

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The Toronto Raptors will take on the Washington Wizards in an exciting Eastern Conference matchup on Saturday, March 4th. The Raptors will be seeking revenge after losing to the Wizards earlier this month, and will look to climb the Eastern Conference standings with a win on the road. Both teams are fighting for a playoff spot, making this game all the more important. This game promises to be a highly competitive matchup, with both teams boasting some of the best players in the league.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have had an up and down season so far, currently sitting in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with a 31-33 record. However, they have won seven of their last ten games and are playing some of their best basketball of the season. The Raptors are a talented team that has been hit hard by injuries this year, but they have managed to stay competitive thanks to the impressive play of their star players.

The Raptors' offense is led by forward Pascal Siakam, who is having an excellent season, averaging 25 points, 7.8 rebounds, and six assists per game. Siakam has been a consistent scoring threat for the Raptors and is capable of taking over a game at any moment. He is supported by guard Fred VanVleet, who is averaging 17.4 points per game over the last ten games. VanVleet is an excellent shooter and can create his own shot, making him a tough matchup for any defender.

The Raptors are also strong in the paint, averaging 52.0 points per game in that area, which ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference. Siakam leads the way with 11.9 points per game in the paint, but the Raptors also get contributions from centers Khem Birch and Chris Boucher, who both provide solid interior defense and rebounding.

Defensively, the Raptors are a solid team, allowing just 109.0 points per game over their last ten games. They are also an excellent rebounding team, averaging 44.0 rebounds per game over that span. The Raptors will need to continue their strong play on both ends of the court if they hope to come away with a win against the Wizards.

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have also had an up and down season, currently sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 30-32 record. The Wizards have been a streaky team this year, but they are currently on a hot streak, winning six of their last ten games. The Wizards have a talented roster that features several players who can take over a game.

The Wizards' offense is led by shooting guard Bradley Beal, who is averaging 22.9 points and 5.4 assists per game over the last ten games. Beal is an excellent scorer who can get to the rim or shoot from beyond the arc, making him a difficult matchup for any defender. The Wizards also have Kyle Kuzma, who is averaging 9.9 points per game in the paint, leading the Wizards to rank sixth in the Eastern Conference in that category.

Defensively, the Wizards are not as strong as the Raptors, allowing 111.4 points per game over their last ten games. However, they are an excellent rebounding team, averaging 42.2 rebounds per game over that span. The Wizards will need to improve their defense if they hope to come away with a win against the Raptors.

BETTING TRENDS

Toronto are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.

Toronto are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games.

Toronto are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games against Washington.

Toronto are 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games on the road.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington.

Washington are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games.

Washington are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Washington's last 17 games against Toronto.

Prediction

In the first matchup between these two teams earlier this month, the Wizards came away with a 119-108 victory. However, the Raptors were missing several key players in that game, including VanVleet, Birch, and Boucher. With those players now healthy and playing well, the Raptors should be able to exact revenge on the Wizards in this game.

The Raptors have been playing some of their best basketball of the season recently, winning seven of their last ten games. Their offense has been clicking, led by Siakam and VanVleet, while their defense has been solid as well. The Raptors' ability to score in the paint, along with their strong rebounding, should give them an advantage over the Wizards.

The Wizards, on the other hand, have been inconsistent this season and have struggled defensively. While Beal is a talented scorer, the Wizards will need more than just him to step up if they hope to beat the Raptors. Kuzma has been playing well, but the Wizards will need more production from their supporting cast if they want to come away with a win.

In the end, the Raptors' balanced attack and strong defense should give them the edge in this game. Siakam and VanVleet should be able to continue their strong play, while the Raptors' interior defense and rebounding should limit the Wizards' scoring opportunities. Look for the Raptors to come away with a hard-fought victory over the Wizards.

PICK: Raptors ML (-105)

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