RAPTORS-2 or 2.5.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nevadaside]

"The second half, we got diverted like we always do," Garnett said. "Same ol,' same ol.'"

Pretty much sums it up. MINN is mentally defeated for the season. (nevadaside statement)

Mitchell, who spent 11 seasons playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has never lost to them as an NBA head coach; his Raptors have won all five games against them in his almost three full seasons at the Toronto helm.

The Raptors go in holding a two-game lead over Miami in the fight for third place in the East and can't afford to let a winnable game against an opponent with an inferior record get away.

"We've got confidence and we're going into home stretch here. The idea is to try to play the best basketball this time of year," Parker said.
NOTE: the above statements are quoted or copied from FoxSports unless otherwise noted.

TOR 5-0 ATS vs MINN last 3 seasons, 2-0 ATS @MINN.
RAPTORS are on a mission.

TOR-2

[bigboydan]

The Raptors are the only way I could play this game as well nevadaside.

GL to you sir

[imgv94]

Gl

[go pistons]

Why?

[dodif]

Looking at this game on paper everything seems to be pointing in the direction of Toronto who during the weekend became the first squad based in Canada to win a divisional title. Very quietly the Raptors have the best overall record (30-15) in the entire Eastern Conference since the All-Star break and they come into tonight riding an enormous 9-1 ATS streak. Toronto star Chris Bosh comes into this contest having ripped off EIGHT consecutive “double doubles” in both the scoring and rebounding departments. So why am I crazy enough to make a sizeable personal wager against a team that has won 8 of their most recent 10 outings?? First of all I feel the oddsmakers have made a rather loud statement just by the way they decided to price this game. One would think that Toronto would be asked to lay many more points since they are facing an opponent who has already been knocked out of the playoff picture and has resorted to playing a ton of young players. Minnesota is coming off a slim TWO point loss against a Hornets team that not only is still in the playoff hunt, but just got back the services of star guard Chris Paul. Even though the Timberwolves did not win that game, they shot a season-high 64-PERCENT from the floor in the first half as youngsters like Randy Foye and Rashad McCants impressed. Minnesota superstar Kevin Garnett did NOT have one of his better efforts, but those aforementioned players who are trying to make a positive impression in front of management for next season, nearly pulled the game out. What really caught my personal attention in that contest was that Minnesota ended up making a season-high 14 different THREE-POINTERS from behind the arc! If they can get that type of play again from the perimeter, that will open things up down low for superstar Kevin Garnett who is one of the league’s few players who has the ability of slowing down Toronto’s marquee player (Bosh) and All-Star starter. Once again referring to Minnesota’s most recent outing, Garnett played only 31’ minutes which means he will be well RESTED for tonight’s affair. There are two KEYS to this selection and one of them surrounds the fact that the Raptors are in a classic “letdown” situation this evening. Back on Friday the Raptors officially wrapped up the Atlantic Division title, so Sunday should have been the game where the mentally hit the breaks so to speak. But since Toronto is only 1’ games behind for the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, Sunday turned out to be a “message” game as they pounded Chicago by a resounding 103-89 final score. This evening against an opponent they do NOT respect, the Raptors will have a problem getting themselves “mentally” focused since they have won-and-covered 5 in a row against the Timberwolves in this series. The second KEY to this selection is that Toronto in their chase for the East’s #2 seed will play 3 of their final 4 regular season games in front of the HOME fans where they have won a team-record 28 games this season. In their most recent 5 games at home, the Raptors have won by a scary average of 15 points per game. But while Toronto has looked like world beaters at home (28-10), they have struggled on the road (16-23) with a below .500 record which is why tonight’s game has been priced at a near pick-em situation. Another point to consider is that the Raptors just wrapped up the WEAKEST division (Atlantic) in the entire NBA, so the verdict is still out on how good they really are. Even though they are not going to the postseason, Minnesota has played the much tougher schedule as they reside in the difficult Western Conference. My database research tells me that Kevin Garnett and company have successfully covered the spread at a 66-PERCENT long term clip in tonight’s situation. Dating all the way back to the 1996 campaign, Minnesota is a positive 33-17 ATS when cast as a home underdog of 3-or-LESS points

[fearless]

dodif, with all due respect, you forgot to mention that the refs decided Minnesota's last game. The Hornets shot 38 free throws and Minnesota shot 14 and the Hornets won by 2 points... I hate when that happens.

[LargeMouthBass]

Looking at this game on paper everything seems to be pointing in the direction of Toronto who during the weekend became the first squad based in Canada to win a divisional title. Very quietly the Raptors have the best overall record (30-15) in the entire Eastern Conference since the All-Star break and they come into tonight riding an enormous 9-1 ATS streak. Toronto star Chris Bosh comes into this contest having ripped off EIGHT consecutive “double doubles” in both the scoring and rebounding departments. So why am I crazy enough to make a sizeable personal wager against a team that has won 8 of their most recent 10 outings?? First of all I feel the oddsmakers have made a rather loud statement just by the way they decided to price this game. One would think that Toronto would be asked to lay many more points since they are facing an opponent who has already been knocked out of the playoff picture and has resorted to playing a ton of young players. Minnesota is coming off a slim TWO point loss against a Hornets team that not only is still in the playoff hunt, but just got back the services of star guard Chris Paul. Even though the Timberwolves did not win that game, they shot a season-high 64-PERCENT from the floor in the first half as youngsters like Randy Foye and Rashad McCants impressed. Minnesota superstar Kevin Garnett did NOT have one of his better efforts, but those aforementioned players who are trying to make a positive impression in front of management for next season, nearly pulled the game out. What really caught my personal attention in that contest was that Minnesota ended up making a season-high 14 different THREE-POINTERS from behind the arc! If they can get that type of play again from the perimeter, that will open things up down low for superstar Kevin Garnett who is one of the league’s few players who has the ability of slowing down Toronto’s marquee player (Bosh) and All-Star starter. Once again referring to Minnesota’s most recent outing, Garnett played only 31’ minutes which means he will be well RESTED for tonight’s affair. There are two KEYS to this selection and one of them surrounds the fact that the Raptors are in a classic “letdown” situation this evening. Back on Friday the Raptors officially wrapped up the Atlantic Division title, so Sunday should have been the game where the mentally hit the breaks so to speak. But since Toronto is only 1’ games behind for the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, Sunday turned out to be a “message” game as they pounded Chicago by a resounding 103-89 final score. This evening against an opponent they do NOT respect, the Raptors will have a problem getting themselves “mentally” focused since they have won-and-covered 5 in a row against the Timberwolves in this series. The second KEY to this selection is that Toronto in their chase for the East’s #2 seed will play 3 of their final 4 regular season games in front of the HOME fans where they have won a team-record 28 games this season. In their most recent 5 games at home, the Raptors have won by a scary average of 15 points per game. But while Toronto has looked like world beaters at home (28-10), they have struggled on the road (16-23) with a below .500 record which is why tonight’s game has been priced at a near pick-em situation. Another point to consider is that the Raptors just wrapped up the WEAKEST division (Atlantic) in the entire NBA, so the verdict is still out on how good they really are. Even though they are not going to the postseason, Minnesota has played the much tougher schedule as they reside in the difficult Western Conference. My database research tells me that Kevin Garnett and company have successfully covered the spread at a 66-PERCENT long term clip in tonight’s situation. Dating all the way back to the 1996 campaign, Minnesota is a positive 33-17 ATS when cast as a home underdog of 3-or-LESS points

I didn't even read this but how bout utilizing paragraphs?

[dodif]

thats just info I had that i posted. i was on the raptors.

[fearless]

thats just info I had that i posted. i was on the raptors.

Why did you do that?

[sabe]

Impressive Raptors Win

went from 9 points down to 9 points up. Can't discount these Raps.

[dodif]

dude grow up

I have a case for either side for any game I bet. Doesnt everyone plays devils advocate then make there pick. Thats how I do it. Having all the info and being objective is the only way to go. Or do u guys just like rah rah cheer threads?

[fearless]

thats just info I had that i posted. i was on the raptors.

If you're telling the truth here, than you are a bastard and I will ignore your posts from now on. Of course, I wasn't stupid enough to bet on the horrible T-Wolves but some one may have lost money based on that info.

[babaoriley]

Good call on the Raptors, guys. I jumped on for one unit, seeing as they are an absolute covering machine these days. Eventually, the oddsmakers are going to overcompensate, one would think.

[imgv94]

Raptors are serious finals contenders..