Raptors vs Wizards Picks & Odds (Mar. 4)
- Washington is laying 1.5 points in the Raptors vs Wizards odds on Saturday
- The Wizards took down Toronto 119-108 on Thursday
- Check out the latest Raptors vs Wizards odds here, plus best bets
If the Toronto Raptors hope to sneak into a top-six seed and a playoff berth this season, they’ll need to start winning on the road. The Raps are a dismal 11-20 through 31 road games, and will play each of their next four games away from home.
Up first is a rematch with Washington, after the Wizards took down Toronto 119-108 on Thursday night. The Wiz and Raptors each currently occupy a Play-In Tournament berth in the NBA playoff bracket, a game and a half ahead of 11th place Chicago.
Online sportsbooks are banking on a very tight contest between these two East rivals, but are slightly more bullish on Washington in Saturday’s NBA odds.
Raptors vs Wizards Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | +1.5 (-110) | +105 | OFF |
| Washington Wizards | -1.5 (-110) | -125 | OFF |
The Wizards are 1.5-point favorites, in a contest without a total as of Friday evening. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 pm ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, with Washington guard Monte Morris (back, out) being the only notable injury on either side.
SPORTSBOOK
Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + a No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day!
Odds as of March 3 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Raptors vs Wizards Betting Analysis
This game is especially pivotal for Toronto, given their next set of opponents. They’ll face Denver and the LA Clippers early next week, both of whom are legit NBA Championship odds contenders. While out West, they’ll also meet the Lakers, before returning home for another date with the Nuggets.
Going winless during that stretch would be a major blow to their postseason hopes, which amplifies Saturday’s matchup.
Toronto got major production from OG Anunoby and Jakob Poeltl in Thursday’s meeting with Washington, however they couldn’t overcome down games from Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. Anunoby and Poeltl combined for 49 points and 16 rebounds, but Siakam and VanVleet accounted for only 27 points.
Back at it on Saturday pic.twitter.com/NHmAaOdPy1
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 3, 2023
VanVleet has just 17 total points in two games since returning from a three-game absence, and has been horrific from beyond the arc. The Raps best three-point shooter is three for his last 22 from deep, while Toronto shot just 27% from long range versus the Wiz.
Three-point efficiency was not an issue for Washington, as they buried 47% of their triples against Toronto. Kyle Kuzma led the way with 30 points, while Kristaps Porzingis returned from injury to pour in 25. That helped cover up a 15 point performance from Bradley Beal, after he had scored 32 or more points in five of his previous nine starts.
Having Beal in the lineup has been key for the Wiz, as they improved to 12-4 in the last 16 games he’s suited up for.
Raptors vs Wizards Predictions
Beal’s struggles against the Raps are nothing new. Toronto is full of long, athletic defenders that can give smaller guards fits. Beal hasn’t scored more than 25 points in any of his past five meetings with Toronto, and he’s been held to 15 or fewer points twice.
Tight defense great offense😤 #Raptors #WeTheNorthpic.twitter.com/EguXgQ8iw9
— TheColdWire.com (@thecoldwire) March 1, 2023
Defense is the Raps calling card, and we should expect a better performance at that end of the floor on Saturday. Likewise at the offensive end, where Toronto’s efficiency will surely improve. The Raps took eight more shots than Washington on Thursday, but made fewer field goals.
They were dominant on the glass, gobbling up 13 offensive boards, which led to many second chance opportunities.
Ultimately, those extra looks didn’t fall and that was the difference in the game. Toronto was the better team inside, outscoring the Wiz in the paint, and they’ll most likely bounce back from long range.
Washington has been a bottom-11 defense all season, and had surrendered at least 114 points to five of the last six playoff contenders they’ve faced.
The Raps are a resilient group that’s lost consecutive games just once over the last six weeks. Don’t count on that trend changing now.
Pick: Toronto Raptors +1.5 (-110)
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $200 INSTANTLY & A NO SWEAT NBA SGP EVERY DAY!
- FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
BET $5 & GET $150 GUARANTEED!
- BETMGM SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,500 BACK IN BONUS BETS!
- CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,000 BACK - ON CAESARS!
- BET365 SPORTSBOOK
BET $5 & GET $150 IN BONUS BETS!
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
