Rolling Raptors will hit a Wall – Toronto vs. Orlando

Toronto has been carrying a weird mojo lately. With nothing on the line, aside from a higher lottery pick, Andrea Bargnani and the Raptors are on a winning streak. Winning their last four games, and cresting the 100-point mark in each of those wins, is a huge ego boost for the soul searching Raptors and head coach, Jay Triano.

But all that momentum does is slam them right in to the brick wall that is the Orlando Magic. Dwight Howard threw a block party to down the Boston C’s, and then followed that with big wins against both the Bucks and Heat. Considering that the Magic have been crushing Toronto for the past two years, this should be a cake walk.

NBA Betting Trends

-Toronto is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games

-Toronto is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games

-Toronto is 0-5 ATS/SU against Orlando in the last 5

-The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 5 games on the road

-Orlando is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games

-Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

-The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Orlando’s last 8 games

-Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

Toronto’s problem with Orlando has always been size. They never matched up well against the likes Lewis-Howard-Turkoglu and Jose Calderon has gotten dismantled by Jameer Nelson, and now Rafer Alston. To top it all off, they didn’t have an athletic enough defender to hold down Mickael Pietrus.

However, this will be the highest spread the Raptors will have against the Magic in nearly eight games, and that counts for something. Toronto got obliterated in February 113-90 by the Magic but their recent showing as of late has to encourage some of you to side with Toronto…even if it is just a little nudge.

Toronto Raptors (28-45) vs. Orlando Magic (55-18)

Wednesday, April 1st — Amway Arena, Orlando — 7:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Orlando -9.5 (204)

However, my main problem with Toronto will be consistency. On the road they’re winless against the spread and just 1-4 SU when visiting Orlando. The fact that they’ve tied the loose ends of their offense means that I love this game in the OVER, but as far as Toronto keeping pace with Orlando, I bet that they lose their legs in the fourth.

NBA Furious Free Pick: Orlando -9.5 (OVER)