Toronto Raptors (62-25 SU, 46-40-1 ATS) vs. Washington Wizards (45-42 SU, 39-47-1 ATS)
Time: Wednesday, April 25th, 2018 9:30 PM EDT
Where: Capital One Arena Washington, D.C.
TV: ESPN / TSN
by Keith, Professional NBA Handicapper, Predictem
Odds Toronto -130, Washington +110
Point Spread: Washington -2
Total Line: 214.5
The Toronto Raptors will venture off the Nations Capitol when they take on the Washington Wizards in Game Six of the Conference Quarterfinals at the Capital One Area in Washington, DC. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET and is scheduled to be televised on ESPN with additional coverage offered on TSN. After Game Five, the series stands at 3-2 Toronto. The Raptors jumped out to a 2-0 lead when they dominated the Wizards at home in the Great White North. This is a narrative that has occurred all season long with the Raptors being a force in Toronto. Washington would respond with two consecutive wins at home to follow this up. In Game Five, Toronto would emerge victorious in the Great White North yet again with a 108-98 win.
The Wizards are now looking elimination in the eye, as they will be heading out of the playoffs if they lose Game Six. Though Toronto enters as the top seed of the Eastern Conference with Washington earning the eight seed, the Wizards have been quite competitive in this series. Many speculated that this would be a four or five game affair with Toronto orchestrating a potential sweep. Nevertheless, the prognostication is now a seven-game donnybrook going the distance.
There are several key betting trends that are worth focusing on in Game Six. First off, the Wizards are 25-18 SU in Washington. Toronto is also 25-18 SU on the road away from home. At home however, Washington is just 18-24 against the spread which reflects yet another tendency for home court advantage to be overvalued. In this series in particular, the home team is 5-0 SU. See what is trending with the cappers in the NBA posting forum.
At this juncture, the must-win angle is what compels many to back the Wizards in this market. Very simply if the Wizards lose here they are out. With an undefeated mark at home in this series, a popular assumption here is that the Wizards will live to fight another day and force Game Seven with home cooking working in their favor in Game Six.
The Raptors are the number one seed in the East and this in itself draws a lot of action in the direction of Toronto. When the Raptors are offered with points, the hook is that much sharper as it is not common to see top seeds offered at such a friendly price. The Raptors backcourt has been the talk of the league all season long, let alone in the NBA Playoffs.
Out of the chute, we have seen a lean on what appears to be on the Wizards. This trend is further reflected by a one-point line movement upward to indicate action on Washington. On a contrasting notion, 71% of the cash action and 60% of the tickets are in Toronto. From a consensus perspective in forums, 57% of the public like the Raptors in this spot. In Over/Under markets, we have seen a half-point line movement downward to reflect the action on the Under. Contrarily, 57% of the cash and 58% ticket action is on the Over.
We will go forth and swallow the points in the contest on the home favorites in this affair, Washington. Much of the public is gravitating towards the dog in this contest which often signals a red flag. Very simply, Toronto looks too easy in this contest at the number they are presented with, and this could also incur several Money Line plays as it is a popular presumption that the Raptors will finish off the Wizards in Game Six. However, the Wizards have been resounding on their home court in this series and at the low number asked to cover there is tremendous upside in backing the favorite.
KEITHs PICK: Washington -2 at 5Dimes to get the best line on this game and guys if you don’t have an account here, now is the time to save money during the NBA playoffs and all season long in MLB!
