Wizards vs. Raptors NBA Picks: Does Toronto Find Consistency?

Two Eastern Conference opponents square off on Sunday night as the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors collide. Below, we make our top Wizards versus Raptors picks.

The Wizards have been one of the NBA's top surprises to this point of the season. At 14-9 straight up and 12-11 against the spread, they're also a profitable team for bettors.

Toronto has suffered through some blues this year as the Raptors revamped their roster without PG Kyle Lowry. The Raptors' upset of the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night broke a three-game losing skid and improved them to 3-8 at home for the season. 

Here are my picks and predictions for Sunday's NBA matchup between the Wizards and Raptors (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Wizards vs. Raptors Game Info

Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. ETTV: Sportsnet, NBCS-DCLocation: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

Wizards vs. Raptors Odds Analysis

This game started at Toronto favored by 1.5 points. The Raptors are available at -1 all over and the moneyline has moved to -115 or -120. This is a fair line for the Raptors, and a better moneyline return for the Wizards at -105.

This is one of the lowest totals of the day, which is understandable considering the talent on offense for Toronto. It opened at 212.5, dropped briefly to as low as 210.5, and has since ticked upward.

Wizards vs. Raptors Picks

Wizards +1 (-110)  ?????Over 212 (-110) ????

SEE ALSO: All NBA Picks

Wizards vs. Raptors Predictions

Wizards +1 (-110)

It’s hard to trust the Raptors at home this season, period.

Scotiabank Arena has been a house of horrors for the Raptors. They’ve won only three games in their home building, and they’ll be facing a Wizards team that held them to only 83 points in their last visit on Oct. 20. Washington might not be lighting up the scoreboard, but neither is Toronto. And quite frankly, I trust the Wizards’ defensive effort more. They rank 14th in defensive rating, while the Raptors are just 23rd.

Yes, the Raptors knocked off the Bucks in their last outing and put an end to a five-game home losing skid, but the Bucks were without F Giannis Antetokounmpo. Wizards SG Bradley Beal will be healthy and ready to cause problems on Sunday.

A prolific scoring option being in the lineup can change everything. Beal is averaging 22.3 points per game in what has clearly been a down offensive year for the young star; however, he’s still making plays despite getting all of the attention on the floor.

I’m rolling with Washington in this one.

Over 212 (-110)

I’m sure the Wizards haven’t forgotten about Raptors SG Fred VanVleet blowing their team up for 33 points in their last meeting. VanVleet was the Raptors' leading scorer in a 109-100 win on Nov. 3 in Washington.

The Raptors need that effort to continue on Sunday, whether it’s VanVleet, PF Pascal Siakam, SF Scottie Barnes, or someone else. They have to put some offensive pressure on the Wizards to give themselves a fighting chance in this matchup.

The good news for Toronto is Washington allowed no fewer than 107 points across its last four games. The Wizards are regressing, and the Raptors have the structure to make them pay. I want to take advantage of the total dropping from the opener.

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Wizards-Raptors picks made on 12/05/2021 at 10:30 a.m. ET.