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2015-2016 NBA Lines Preview: Watch Out for the Raptors
“I got hops.” – @AnthonyBennett #WeTheNorth #OpenPractice https://t.co/vr27NomLZp
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 21, 2015
What did this mean for their online betting fans? They brought in new talent to fit around a core of Patrick Patterson, Kyle Lowry and other young talent. The newest Raptors, including Bismark Biyombo and DeMarre Carroll, were brought in to help support what was the worst defense in the postseason last year in terms of keeping the opposition from making shots. The strength in Toronto will still be the offense, although DeMar DeRozan does not have what it takes to shoot at clutch time every time, as his shooting percentage is simply too low.
Kyle Lowry got off to a terrific start last year, as the Raptors roared out to a 24-7 record early. In the second half of the season, though, his production plummeted, and his playoff shooting was atrocious. Also, he is 29 years old – an age by which a lot of guards who play a similar style to Lowry end up peaking and finding themselves on the downward side of their careers.
The NBA has become a league of dunks, in a number of ways, which makes DeMar DeRozan a bit of an anomaly. He took 57 percent of his shots between the three-point arc and about ten feet from the basket, but he only hit 36 percent of those shots. He led the Raptors in scoring, but he was also the least efficient scorer of any player who averaged at least 20 points per game. The Raptors need him to be more selective with his shots and become a better distributor.
DeMarre Carroll came in with the big contract, raking in $60 million over the next four seasons. His efficient shooting will help the team, as will his defensive skills. However, he will be asked to shoot more here than he has in any of his five other NBA stops, and when he has shot in the past, the opportunities have been created for him. Now he’ll be expected to create some of his own offense as well. Patrick Patterson shoots and makes a ton of threes. If he can do that, he will keep being the kickout sniper that the team needs.
Jonas Valanciunas is only 23 years old, and his scoring rate has increased each season. Will he take off or flatten out as a center? Terrence Ross is the one who looks to lose playing time to some of the new Raptors if he can’t remain productive. Protecting the rim will be Bismack Biyombo, who should elevate the Raptors from the cellar when it comes to shots blocked per game.
