NBA Betting May 4, 2021 – Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Clippers

The new play-in format has the Toronto Raptors in line to potentially compete for a spot in the postseason. That’s good news for a club that has plodded along for most of the campaign. While there are some who detest the play-in the Raps certainly aren’t one of them. They enter the week 2.5 games out of the 10th spot and continue a difficult stretch of games against Western Conference foes with Tuesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto ended a three-game slide on Sunday knocking off the Lakers while the Clips are in the midst of their own three-game losing streak following a setback to Denver on Saturday.  Bookmaker.eu is offering a generous welcome bonus (max bonus $1600).

Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Clippers
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 10 p.m. ET
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Opening NBA Odds: Los Angeles -9, O/U 221.5
Raptors at Clippers TV Coverage: TNT

Odds Analysis

They ended a three-game skid by beating the Lakers outright 121-114 on Sunday as a 10-point dog. The Raptors had won five of six before that slide going 5-1 ATS to climb into the play-in race. They opened as a 9-point dog in this contest catching points in a fifth straight game and they are running out of time with only seven games remaining. The Raps stopped a four-game road losing streak with their win over the Lakers and they are just 11-22 SU and 14-19 ATS in road games this season. The Clips are looking to find a groove ahead of the postseason but things are going the opposite way. Losers of three straight they dropped behind the Nuggets into fourth in the West, though it’s unlikely they fall further since they have a 6.5-game bulge over three other teams that are tied for the No. 5 spot. They failed to cover the spread in their last four games and are 1-5 ATS in their last six while cashing the UNDER in five straight contests. Overall the Clippers are 43-22 SU and 36-28-1 ATS.

Toronto Raptors

Sunday’s win was impressive since they beat the Lakers with both Anthony Davis and LeBron James in the lineup. It was the closest LA had been to full strength in some time. While it’s a feather in their cap it’s still too probably too late to have any meaning in the final standings. The Raptors need to make up three games and they have only seven remaining on the schedule, so the challenge is daunting. You can’t say they’re tanking for a better draft position. The Raptors got the payout without Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby Gary Trent and Chris Boucher in the lineup.

Toronto turned to its elder statesman to pull out the win. Mentioned to be headed elsewhere at the trade deadline, Kyle Lowry remained with the Raptors and produced one of his biggest games of the season against the Lakers scoring 37 points on 8 of 13 shooting from behind the arc. Pascal Siakam also had a big night with 39 points as those two were responsible for all but four points from the starting five. Another good sign was the play of reserves DeAndre Bembrey and Freddie Gillespie producing for a group that has been mostly silent. Bembrey had 14 points and eight rebounds while Gillespie chipped in with 11 points and seven boards.

Los Angeles Clippers

After taking a five-game rest for an aching foot it was revealed that Kawhi Leonard has been dealing with the situation for most of the season. In his first game back after the break Leonard had 16 points, six assists and five rebounds in a loss to the Nuggets, LA’s third straight and fourth in a row ATS. However, Leonard said there is “nothing significant” about the injury and he’ll continue to play. “I’m feeling good. We took the proper steps to get me right, to make sure nothing significant is wrong with me, so hopefully we can just keep moving up from here,” he said.

And while the Clippers are still hanging around the top of the West standings just 3.5 games behind co-leaders Utah and Phoenix entering the week, they should focus on developing some chemistry with a roster that’s been in flux for some time. Not only has Leonard missed a chunk of time lately but they are also without Patrick Beverley and Serge Ibaka. Both are expected to return before the playoffs. And getting Paul George right is a concern. You can’t blame one player for a team’s failures, but George stunk last postseason. Having him in a right frame of mind is key down the stretch.

Bet Raptors at Clippers at BookMaker.eu

Toronto took advantage of a reeling Lakers squad to come away with a win last time out. I don’t think they’ll be so lucky on Tuesday. With Kawhi back in the saddle and PG13 scoring points in bunches, I can see the Clippers running away with this one. And it’s hard to see Lowry and Siakam going off again like they did against the Lakers. I’ll give the points and back a hungry Clips squad.

NBA Score Prediction: Clippers 118, Raptors 106

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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com