Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: Latest odds ahead of the 2018-19 season

By Paul Taylor

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors looks on from the bench during the second half of an NBA preseason game against Melbourne United at Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors looks on from the bench during the second half of an NBA preseason game against Melbourne United at Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the new NBA season upon us, let’s take a look at the latest odds for the Toronto Raptors as they aim for a first ever NBA Finals appearance.

It’s hard to believe the new NBA season is only five days away. As for the Toronto Raptors, they begin their campaign the following night, when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Raptors are in an interesting position where the likelihood is they will see a drop in their franchise record 59 wins from last season. And Odds Shark reflect this with their over/under win total for the team, which has been set at 55.5.

On the flip side, the Raptors are arguably primed for a deeper postseason run. This is thanks, in large part, to the addition of Kawhi Leonard.

With this in mind, the latest championship odds make for interesting reading. Unsurprisingly, the Golden State Warriors are favourites to take home a fourth championship in five seasons.

More from Toronto Raptors

However, as per Odds Shark, the Raptors are actually fifth-favourites at +1400. And their chances of at least making the NBA Finals are encouraging, with only the Boston Celtics ranked higher in the Eastern Conference.

Again, the addition of Leonard — along with LeBron James moving over to the Western Conference — plays a significant role in these favourable odds. And the player himself is expected to have an excellent season, as he looks to prove his critics wrong.

As a result, Odds Shark have Leonard as fifth-favourite to be named NBA MVP, at +950. As you’d expect, James is favoured to take home his fifth award in this particular category.

Of course, the thing with any betting is that it can be unpredictable. No matter the odds, regardless of how favourable they are, it’s all about what a team or a player does when the actual game begins.

In this respect though, you can still understand why the Raptors are getting love from the bookies. No matter how much people were unimpressed with the handling of DeMar DeRozan, the fact remains that the team upgraded by replacing him with Leonard.

Assuming Leonard is in good health — and all indications are that he is — you cannot dispute that the Raptors improved defensively. This was already an excellent defense, which was ranked fifth-best last season.

Even the probability Leonard will be one-and-done in Toronto, can be to the benefit of the Raptors. The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year will be going all-out to secure a new long-term deal with a team of his choosing.

It is up to new head coach Nick Nurse to take advantage of this, while also appreciating the sense of urgency surrounding the franchise as a whole. In arguably the most important season in franchise history, there may be no better time to finally make it to the NBA Finals.

Next. Is Norman Powell a genuine trade candidate?. dark

What is your best bet for the Toronto Raptors this season? And — assuming they do qualify as expected — how far do you predict they will go in the playoffs? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Home/Toronto Raptors