Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors Prediction and Betting Tips | Jan. 1, 2025

The Brooklyn Nets take on the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday in a showdown between two Eastern Conference bottom dwellers. The Nets will attempt to take a 2-0 lead in their four-game season series. They secured a 101-94 road win over the Raptors on Dec. 19, led by sharpshooter Cameron Johnson's game-high 33 points.

Brooklyn (12-20) has dropped its last two outings. Nevertheless, it has remained relatively competitive, nearly securing a victory during Sunday's last-second 102-101 road loss to the Orlando Magic.

Conversely, Toronto (7-26) has been one of the NBA's least competitive teams. It enters Wednesday on a league-worst 11-game losing streak, including Tuesday's franchise-record 54-point road defeat (125-71) against the Boston Celtics.

However, the relatively inconsequential contest between the rebuilding squads could feature added intrigue. Combo guard D'Angelo Russell is expected to make his season debut with the Nets after being acquired from the LA Lakers on Sunday. This marks Russell's second stint with Brooklyn after playing for the franchise from 2017 to 2019.

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Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors odds, preview and prediction

The Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors' clash is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.

The game will be broadcast on YES and TSN. It can also be streamed on NBA League Pass and Fubo.

Moneyline: Nets (-115) vs Raptors (-105)

Spread: Nets -1.0 (-110) vs Raptors +1.0 (-110)

Total (Over/Under): o222.0 (-110) vs u222.0 (-110)

Editor's note: The odds could change closer to tipoff, as the odds listed were based on available information at the time of writing.

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Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors preview

Brooklyn and Toronto both head into Wednesday with key players on their injury reports.

The Raptors will again be without point guard Immanuel Quickley, who continues to rehab from a partial UCL tear in his left elbow. Meanwhile, sophomore shooting guard Gradey Dick (hamstring) and wing RJ Barrett (illness) are considered questionable. On the Nets' side, shooting guard Cam Thomas has been ruled out due to left hamstring injury management.

Barrett (23.4 points per game) is Toronto's leading scorer, so if he is sidelined again, star guard/forward Scottie Barnes will face an increased offensive workload. However, the versatile fourth-year player is surrounded by limited shot creators, with prospects Ja'Kobe Walter, Ochai Agbaji and Davion Mitchell getting increased playing time.

The Raptors rank just 25th in the NBA in offensive rating (109.0) and 26th in defensive rating (116.9). So, the shorthanded squad will likely struggle again on both ends.

Additionally, Thomas (24.7 ppg) is Brooklyn's leading scorer. So, Johnson and Russell will likely get more offensive looks in his absence. The Nets have been a better offensive team than Toronto, positioned 19th in offensive rating (111.1). However, they are in the same tier defensively, situated 25th in defensive rating (115.7).

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Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors projected starting lineups

With Thomas sidelined, Brooklyn's starting lineup could be as follows:

PG: Ben Simmons SG: D'Angelo Russell SF: Cameron Johnson PF: Noah Clowney C: Nic Claxton

Meanwhile, with Toronto's backcourt and wing rotation in question, it could deploy the following starting unit:

PG: Scottie Barnes SG: Gradey Dick (GTD)/Ja'Kobe Walter SF: RJ Barrett (GTD)/Davion Mitchell PF: Ochai Agbaji C: Jakob Poeltl

Editor's note: These are projected starting lineups and could change as players' availabilities are updated closer to game time.

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Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors betting tips

Johnson's points prop is 22.5. He has been battling left hip soreness, which cut short his last appearance. However, if he isn't limited, he should have a prime opportunity to light up the Raptors' lackluster defense again and hit the over.

Meanwhile, Nets point guard Ben Simmons' assists prop is 6.5. He has recorded seven-plus assists in seven straight contests, so he too should hit the over.

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Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors prediction

Toronto's defense has been historically bad over the past three games, allowing 430 points. Moreover, it is on the second night of a back-to-back, while Brooklyn is coming off two rest days.

So, the Nets should cover the spread (-1.0) and pick up a road victory. Given the lack of defense on both sides, the teams also appear likely to surpass their over/under point total (222.0). The Raptors and their opponents have exceeded that figure in four of their last five outings.