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The Lede: Raptors Push All-In

Matt McEwan

by Matt McEwan in NBA Basketball

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:39 AM PST

A packed Air Canada Centre
By Shaheen Karolia (Flickr: Let's Go Raptors) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Don’t have time to read through 1,000 words, but need some informed betting tips? Here’s a quick rundown on today’s biggest sports story, and how it impacts the way you should bet. Missed yesterday’s? See it here.

Toronto Raptors Make Another Move

When the Toronto Raptors sent Terrence Ross and a first-round pick to the Orlando Magic for Serge Ibaka, it addressed the team’s biggest need since Chris Bosh left for South Beach: an athletic power forward. Ibaka brings a physical low-post game, the ability to stretch the floor, and (most importantly) a rim protector. But Raptor president Masai Ujiri was not finished there. A couple hours before yesterday’s (3:00 PM ET) trade deadline, the Raps also acquired P.J. Tucker, a well-respected wing defender.

The two new additions will make a significant impact for the 33-24 Raptors. Ibaka is set to make his debut at home tonight against the Celtics, and there is a chance Tucker will too. Toronto currently sits 7.5 games back of Cleveland for top spot in the east, and four games back of Boston for the two-seed. With 25 games remaining, I expect the Raptors to finish strong and make a push for the second-seed in the east.

The climb starts tonight, and I see Toronto coming out of the break rolling.

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