NBA Betting - Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets (-9)

Tonight at 7:00 PM ET

If the Toronto Raptors (5-5 SU, 6-4 ATS, are trying to keep coveted free agent-to-be Chris Bosh with their on-court play this season, then the inconsistent ballclub isn’t doing a very god job so far.

The Raptors will face a Denver Nuggets (7-3 SU, 5-5 ATS, 5-5 O/U) team tonight that has alternated wins and losses over its last four games, but has big plans on challenging the Los Angeles Lakers for their Western Conference championship this season.

The two ballclubs will get underway at the Pepsi Center tonight at 9 PM ET.

The Raptors had their modest two-game winning streak snapped by the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, losing 101-100 but easily covered the NBA point spread for pro basketball betting fanatics as a 7.5-point home underdog.

Bosh led Toronto with a solid double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds, while veteran swingman Hedo Turkoglu added 20 points.

The Nuggets had their best game of the season the last time out, beating the vaunted Lakers105-79 while holding Kobe Bryant scoreless in the second half and limiting L.A. to a mind-boggling 23 second-half points.

The Nuggets covered the NBA point spread as 4-point home favorites with room to spare.

High-scoring forward Carmelo Anthony scored a team high 25 points and J.R. Smith added 20 points off the bench in the victory.

Let’s take a look at some of tonight’ key trends before I offer up my in-depth pro hoops analysis and NBA expert picks.

• Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
• Nuggets are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 home games.
• Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
• Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Denver.
• Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• Raptors are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

Analysis: I like the Denver Nuggets to win this home game and stretch their winning streak to three games, but I’m taking the Toronto Raptors to cover the NBA point spread tonight as they’ve played some really solid basketball lately.

Toronto has covered the spread in three straight and has some really good players on their roster despite their uneven play so far this season. While the Raptors are giving up five points per game more than the Nuggets are this season, Toronto can score the ball with any team in the league and aver just over 106 points per contest like the Nuggets.

After losing to the Phoenix Suns in a heartbreaker, the last time out, I say the Raptors come out with a fine effort in this game and cover the high spread on the road while the final score plays just Under the 215-point O/U total.

NBA Expert Picks: Raptors +9 Points/Under 215 Total Points