# 731 toronto raptors +8.5 this number is a little generous with toronto playing here on the 2nd of a back to back...that being said it's still a tad steep for a game pitting the #7 in the east vs #8 in the east with just 3 games seperating the teams and with toronto hanging to the final playoff spot by just a half game...focus and effort should not be in question tonight with the raptors coming off blowing a 17 point 3rd qtr lead last night in miami...every game from here on out will be a "playoff type" game for toronto and tonight is a huge chance for them to get a leg up on chicago as after this game the raptors play 3 straight against some of the worst in the league(clippers,sixers and warriors)...let's look at some perspective in regards to this number tonight...last week charlotte was -9 at home vs a timberwolves team that came in 14-57 and losers of 13 in a row!...then they laid just 10 to a wizards team that came in 21-49 and was also losers of 13 straight!...now i take 8.5 points with a current playoff team with everything to play for...they have split 2 previous games this year with charlotte laying 3.5 in one game and toronto laying 5.5 last time they met...there just isn't an 8.5 point gap between these 2 teams even a back to back withstanding...this raptors team is 25-19 vs the east so they have held their own but against the western conf has been this team's big downfall...not much energy gets expended when you blow a 17 point lead late in a game and for a team 1st in the conference in scoring the back to back is not so much a large concern for me...this is a very workable number for this underdog tonight...# 731 TORONTO RAPTORS +8.5 is a big play...good luck gentlemen.
