Raptors Eastern Conference Odds Shorten to +650 After Impressive Weekend Showing vs Lakers & Clippers

• The Toronto Raptors are 7-3 to start the season, just 1.5 games out of first place in the Eastern Conference
• Pascal Siakam is eighth in league scoring with 26.8 points per game
• The Raptors offer good value at +650 as their odds figure to shorten as the season progresses.

The Toronto Raptors have been one of the NBA’s early surprises this season.

They’re 7-3 so far and are coming off an impressive split with the Los Angeles teams (in Los Angeles), beating the Lakers and pushing the Clippers until the final minutes of the fourth quarter despite being without Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka.

Have the Raptors been undervalued? And if so, are they a good bet to contender in the Eastern Conference?

2019-20 NBA Eastern Conference Odds

*All odds taken November 12th, 2019

Contention Without Kawhi

The general consensus is that the Raptors would take a step back with Kawhi Leonard now a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, but the team has looked strong early on. Entering Tuesday’s action, the team is 7-3 and 1.5 games out of first place.

They’re a perfect 4-0 at home but are just 3-3 on the road.

Early on, most people didn’t pay them much attention as their wins had come against the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans twice. However, the win over the Lakers opened some eyes. It looks like the Raptors definitely have the pieces to contend for the Eastern Conference crown.

Siakam Most Improved Player…Again?

The Raptors knew they would need some players to step up in Leonard’s absence and that’s exactly what’s happened. Pascal Siakam, who was already playing like an All-Star by the end of last season, has taken another huge leap forward. He’s now one of the best stars in the league.

Siakam had zero 30-plus point games in his first two seasons (136) games but had five in 80 last year. So far this season, he has four such games in just nine contests. Siakam is eighth in league scoring with 26.3 points per game and he’s adding 9.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1 threes and 0.7 steals per game as well.

It’s very early but Siakam could be one of the first players ever to win the Most Improved Player in back-to-back years. He looks like a genuine superstar whom the Raptors can build around in the coming years.

Supporting Cast Has Stepped Up

Siakam was the Robin to Leonard’s Batman last season, and while he’s stepped up into the Batman role, the rest of the cast has elevated their game too. OG Anunoby has played sparingly but we’ve already seen what he’s capable of with a 21-point effort against New Orleans and an 18-point effort against Sacramento.

Anunoby looks like he could genuinely grow into that No. 2 role. Meanwhile, Fred VanVleet is averaging 15.8 points per game while guys like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Chris Boucher and Norman Powell are providing excellent contributions off the bench.

This is still a mostly young team that’s going to get better as the season goes. They’re also well-coached, so they can’t be counted out. With teams like Philadelphia, Milwaukee and even Boston showing cracks in the armor, the NBA Conference odds for the East appears to be wide open as of right now.

What’s the Best Bet?

This is mostly a personal preference bet as there are four roughly even teams that can win the East. However, the Raptors look like they’re more than capable. Remember, they’ve been banged up and they’ve yet to really get going with a full deck.

With Kyle Lowry healthy and Fred VanVleet coming off the bench, with Anunoby growing into a quality starter, with Siakam becoming a superstar and the bench getting solid production from Hollis-Jefferson, Powell and others, the Raptors could be a lot better than most people expected. On top of that, you’re getting a price tag at +650 right now.

Each of the top four teams in the East have their flaws but I’d rather take a flier with the Raptors than lay shorter odds with the Bucks and 76ers, who have concerns of their own.