Toronto Raptors 2009-2010 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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Toronto Raptors 2008-2009 NBA Record: 33-49, 4th in Atlantic Division

Toronto Raptors 2008-2009 ATS (Against The Spread): 33-46-3

Toronto Raptors Betting Trends & Betting Angles:

• OVER is 8-1 past 9 at home to 76ers

• 9-1 SU, 7-3 ATS past 10 at home to NY

• 1-6 ATS past 7 at home to Celtics

• 7-3 ATS past 10 at Boston

• UNDER is 8-1 lifetime at home to Charlotte

• 2-17 SU past 19 trips to Detroit

• UNDER is 7-2 past 9 as fave of more than 8 pts

Toronto Raptors 2009-2010 Preview & Prediction

Colangelo gutted his depth to team O’Neal with Bosh and Bargnani for a big push last season. Now the Raptors are back-tracking, putting Bargnani back in the pivot and trying to get more athletic on the perimeter, all in hopes of keeping Bosh around and getting back in the playoff picture for the long haul.

They’ve assembled some interesting pieces, though they really have to keep the main guys healthy, particularly up front where there’s little to write home about behind Bosh and Bargnani.

Garners Turkoglu and Jack instantly make the team better, as does the return to health of Calderon. If Wright or DeRozan deliver on the perimeter, the Raptors look much-improved and should contend for a return to the playoffs.

Bargnani already bagged an extension and the ability to lure free agents like Turkoglu (who came in a sign-and-trade) and Jack, speaks well for the future of the franchise.

Toronto Raptors Coach: Jay Triano (2nd season)

Toronto Raptors Returning Players: Guards Marcus Banks, Jose Calderon, Quincy Douby; centers Andrea Bargnani, Patrick O’Bryant; forward Chris Bosh.

Toronto Raptors Key Additions: Forward Marco Belinelli (trade from Warriors), forward DeMar DeRozan (draft), forward Reggie Evans (trade from 76ers), guard Jarrett Jack (free agent), forward Amir Johnson (trade from Bucks), center Rasho Nesterovic (free agent), forward Hedo Turkoglu (trade from Magic), guard Sonny Weems (trade from Pistons), forward Antoine Wright (trade from Mavericks).

Toronto Raptors Key Subtractions: Forward Kris Humphries (traded to Mavericks), center Nathan Jawai (traded to Mavericks), forward Devean George (traded to Warriors), guard Roko Ukic (traded to Bucks), forward Jason Kapono (traded to 76ers), forward Carlos Delfino (re-signed, traded to Bucks), forward Joey Graham (signed with Nuggets), forward Shawn Marion (re-signed, traded to Mavericks), center Pops Mensah-Bonsu (signed with Rockets), guard Anthony Parker (signed with Cavaliers), center Jake Voskuhl (signed with Mavericks).

2009-2010 Toronto Raptors Point Guards:

A big part of the problems in 2008-09 was Calderon breaking down. A hamstring injury took away some of his explosiveness and then an injury to a finger on his left (non-shooting) hand was another nagging setback, particularly for someone charged with handling the ball.

Calderon’s 2.1 turnovers per game were a career high and something a team already 22nd in the league in rebounding couldn’t afford. While he still averaged 12.8 points and 8.9 assists, Calderon is confident those numbers can go up to 15 and 10 this year with a healthy hammie and a surgically repaired finger.

Calderon also declined to play for Spain in the European championships late this summer, a good thing for his health and the Raptors, if not for his popularity back home.

And if Calderon does break down, now the Raptors have a Jack in the trunk. Jack has a lot of the traits Toronto was looking for. He’s athletic, physical on the perimeter and can defend. He’s also not afraid to deter to Calderon, backing up at point and playing some off guard, as well. He is a great piece to add to the puzzle.

And that’s partly because Croatian rookie Roko Ukic wasn’t quite ready for prime time last year when Calderon came out, and Quincy Douby, despite a solid showing in summer league, doesn’t look like the long term answer either. Marcus Banks didn’t get much chance to show what he could do once he came over in the O’Neal trade in February, undergoing toe surgery after six games. He’s not on very solid footing to see much action this year, either.

2009-2010 Toronto Raptors Off Guards:

Antoine Wright, a useful 6-7 swing man, almost seems like a throw-in from the Turkoglu deal, but he may end up starting at shooting guard. Coming off a career-best 7.3 points-per-game performance in Dallas, he started 53 games there last season. His experience gives him an edge over DeRozan, though DeRozan looked great this summer.

The ninth player selected in the June draft, DeRozan is 6-7, 220 pounds with athleticism that calls to mind former Raptors great Vince Carter. DeRozan was first-team Pac-10 All-Freshman and then Pac-10 Tournament MVP, and he’s only getting better.

Marco Belinelli, Bargnani’s Italian teammate, was a good summer pick-up, too. He can play either guard spot and is a proven scorer when called upon. He averaged 8.9 points in 21 minutes a game at Golden State last season.

The amazing Turkoglu, an actual 6-10 guard, will play here some, too, as will Jack. Colangelo was also hoping to lure four-year NBA vet Carlos Delfino, a tough 6-6 swingman, back from a Russian league.

2009-2010 Toronto Raptors Small Forwards:

Turkoglu moves in and instantly makes the rest of the Raptors better offensively for the defensive attention he will draw. What he lacks in defensive prowess, he can make up for in sheer size. He has averaged better than five rebounds each of the last two seasons to go with that 15.6 ppg average the last five years, and he was a key cog in Orlando’s surge to the Finals.

Hustling Joey Graham didn’t receive a qualifying offer from the team bur remained on the roster. He could be back on the Raptors’ bench.

2009-2010 Toronto Raptors Power Forwards:

Bosh was one of just two players in the league to average over 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. The other was Dwight Howard. Bosh chimed in with a career-high 22.7 points and 10.0 rebounds. He’s still looking for that same kind of production and consistency on the defensive end, though he did block a shot a game.

There’s trouble behind Bosh, although, with only blue-collar Reggie Evans as a proven reserve. In seven seasons, Evans has averaged 4.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 19.6 minutes. The 6-10 Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who played in 19 games last season, is also available.

2009-2010 Toronto Raptors Centers:

Bargnani is back at his natural position after playing some at small forward last year. Bargnani had bulked up to bang inside better and his game – now closer to the basket – is blossoming. He posted career bests of 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season.

The late addition of Rasho Nesterovic, who comes back from Indiana, is key. He’s proven, veteran depth at a position that had only 7-0 Patrick O’Bryant on the roster as a reserve center. In his third season, O’Bryant got into 13 games after coming over in a trade with Boston.

Toronto Raptors 2009-2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Toronto Raptors will finish 1st in the NBA Atlantic Division .

Toronto Raptors Betting

Toronto Raptors NBA Championship Odds: +2500

Toronto Raptors Eastern Conference Odds: +8000

Toronto Raptors 2008-2009 Betting Stats

Toronto Raptors Straight Up: 33-49

Toronto Raptors ATS: 33-46-3

Toronto Raptors Home ATS: 16-23-2

Toronto Raptors Away ATS: 17-23-1

Toronto Raptors Record As Favorite: 18-11

Toronto Raptors Record As Dog: 14-38

Toronto Raptors Over/Under: 47-35

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