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Toronto Raptors 2015 NBA Season Preview

By Cody Williams

Apr 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) sits on the bench prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Air Canada Centre. The Hornets won 92-87. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) sits on the bench prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Air Canada Centre. The Hornets won 92-87. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 5, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) dribbles the basketball during the first half in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at SAP Center. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 5, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) dribbles the basketball during the first half in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at SAP Center. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Odds

The Raptors aren’t considered a serious contender to win the NBA Championship this season, but they are one of those teams in the league that you could consider at least a viable dark horse that could make a run at a title if things played out favorably for them in a few ways. Subsequently, their title odds being listed at +5000 seems about right for the Raptors.

The only curious thing about their +5000 odds to win the title is that those are the same odds given to the Indiana Pacers. Even with Paul George returning to action and the progression to playing at a faster pace, I don’t consider the Pacers to be on nearly the same level as Toronto heading this season.

Toronto and Indiana also have the same odds to win the Eastern Conference, both coming in at +2500. While that seems about right for the Raptors, it feels like disrespect to the Raptors to have the Pacers at the same level. The scenario where the Raptors win the East seems far more likely than the one where the Pacers do.

While they may be getting some disrespect in terms of the odds for the title and the Eastern Conference, Toronto is the favorite to win the Atlantic Division this season, getting -200 odds. The Boston Celtics aren’t terribly far behind at +200, but the Raptors are the clear-cut leaders of the pack.

Next: Final Prediction

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