Toronto erased a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Clippers on Monday. Denver lost a fourth-quarter lead against Portland that same night. The Raptors have shown they can make a late run, but on Wednesday they’ll first have to keep Nikola Jokić from opening up a gap, especially if center Jakob Poeltl can’t play.
Poeltl’s status matters when Jokić gets the ball
Poeltl is questionable with left shoulder bursitis, and Kawhi Leonard is out with a left knee injury. Jokić had 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on Monday. Jamal Murray scored 35, but Denver lost 118–110 after Portland opened the fourth with a 9–2 run, according to the Associated Press recap. If Poeltl sits and Toronto needs to send a second defender at Jokić, watch how quickly the Raptors can get back to Murray and the other shooters.
DraftKings had Denver favored by 4.5 at 10:47 a.m. ET Wednesday. Toronto found enough scoring without Leonard on Monday. Scottie Barnes scored 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter of the 125–118 win, while Immanuel Quickley scored 27 and RJ Barrett added 26, per the AP recap. If all three can create good looks again, Denver may need more than an advantage at center to pull ahead by the five points it needs to cover.
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Three of Toronto’s last four games cleared 231.5
DraftKings listed 231.5 in the same snapshot, with the over at −105 and the under at −115. Toronto’s last four games went over their own totals. Three also cleared Wednesday’s number, while the 129–99 win over Orlando finished at 228. Denver’s last three games ranged from 195 against New Orleans to 247 against Phoenix. The loss to Portland also ended at 228.
If Jokić turns double teams into clean shots for teammates and Toronto’s guards answer, the game can get past 231.5. Denver can also build a lead while the total stays under if Toronto struggles to score without Leonard. Watch what the Raptors get after a Denver basket, when they have to create against a defense that’s already set.
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