There has never been a bad time to take an interest in the Toronto Raptors, even at their lowest they were intriguing, but a change in Canada has made them far more fascinating.
With single-game sports betting now legal in Ontario, Canada, fans and those with any interest in the Toronto Raptors now have more reason than ever to follow one of the NBA’s most fascinating franchises.
Throughout their history, the Raptors have been fascinating for those with an interest in hoops. While not a traditional basketball stronghold, the vibrancy of the Raptors turned Toronto in a hoops city early with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady making them compelling viewing even when they didn’t contend. Then came the Chris Bosh era, the dashed hope of Andrea Bargnani, and the rebuilding phase with Rudy Gay and Jonas Valanciunas before the glory years of recent times.
No matter what stage the Raptors have been at, they have been friendly to bettors looking for a crafty pick. The Bargnani team was terrible yet often made a mockery of spreads when playing the overpowered Miami Heat. The Gay and Valanciunas team was transitional but was reliable for the odd straight-up upset that studious punters could exploit.
The rise to glory side was on another level, overachieving year in and year out but its fans in Toronto couldn’t profit from it at the bookmakers. Now that has changed and this season makes them rather interesting.
Having been forced to move out of the city for the bulk of the pandemic, the Raptors are back in Toronto this season but they have yet to make their home court truly count. Yet is the operative word there as bettors should be salivating following that rough home start for the Raps.
The Scotiabank Arena will be rocking with just a couple of good results and the opportunities are clear for all to see. It usually takes a few games for sportsbooks to adapt to any uptick in form and the rebuilding Raptors are well-placed to offer fans in Ontario all kinds of reasons to get on the train early.
There’s a big road trip coming up for the Raps but they get back home at the end of the month for a significant home stand. The Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, OKC Thunder, New York Knicks, and Sacramento Kings will all visit the North before the Raptors have to go on the road again. Those first two games scream of offering big value and, irrespective of how they go, the spread will likely be generous to the Raptors against the Bucks.
Bettors who jump on early could put some real pressure on the bookies and be well-positioned to have double the reason to celebrate the return of their side to their home court.
Leave a Reply