Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors odds and best bet

With 8 straight wins, the Toronto Raptors are officially the hottest team in the NBA right now. They are doing things a little different too, with their versatile frontline that lacks a true big man. They doubled down on that strategy with the addition of Thaddeus Young at the trade deadline.

Denver was quiet at the deadline. It's future is going to be determined by whether they can get guard Jamal Murray back and healthy this season. That is a 50/50 proposition right now. In Murray's absence, along with that of Michael Porter Jr., center Nikola Jokic is just making it work. There was a stretch there, after MPJ went down, that it looked like things might unravel but the Joker is playing as well as ever and has righted the ship. 

Toronto is still allowing only 500 fans at home but that has not held the Raptors back on their recent hot streak. Their ability to find their own energy has been key to their success and made it all the more impressive. 

Game Info

Denver Nuggets (30-25) vs. Toronto Raptors (31-23)
Saturday, February 12, 2022
7:30 PM ET
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
TSN

Betting Odds

Spread:  Nuggets +3, Raptors -3
Total: 222.5
Moneyline: Nuggets +125, Raptors -175

Best Bet

Toronto -3

This could be a tough matchup for the Raptors. Denver runs everything through Jokic and centers with size can be a weakness for Toronto. At the same time, Denver has to find a way to match up with a Raptors team that shares the ball well and has 4 players averaging 18+ppg. 

Toronto is so good at riding the hot hand because top scorers Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam are such willing passers. 

Toronto has not just been winning a lot lately, they have been a covering machine. They have covered in all 8 games of their winning streak and 9 of their last 10. Their run is going to come to an end at some point, but this home spot does not appear to be it. Needing to win by just 3 to cover is a really good number in this spot.

All-Star VanVleet is questionable but that is still not enough to move me off Toronto tonight.