Morning Coffee: Raptors win big as NBA favourites sweep

On the heels of back-to-back losses and without their All-Star point guard available, the Toronto Raptors needed someone to step up and set the tone against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

As it turns out, their rookie forward was up to the task.

Scottie Barnes made his first 11 shots in a row and finished with a game-high 28 points, a season-high 16 rebounds and four assists as Toronto beat Brooklyn 133-97.

NBA favourites went 7-0 straight up and against the spread.

Barnes, who cashed the over on his points prop (14.5) before the half, was +900 to score 25+.

After a 36-point win, the Raptors return home for a rematch with the Nets in front of a packed house in the second half of the back-to-back tonight.

Should bettors run it back with Barnes tonight?

Here’s the TSN EDGE Morning Coffee for Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Barnes, Raptors roll to lopsided win

While Kevin Durant is expected to return later this week, he won’t be available for tonight’s game in Toronto.

Brooklyn will also be without Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons once again, along with head coach Steve Nash, who was placed in health and safety protocols shortly before Monday night’s game.

The Nets are an NBA-worst 1-8-1 against the spread with no rest this season.

Meanwhile, Toronto owns the league’s best ATS record in the second half of back-to-backs at 9-3.

Scottie Barnes is the 5th rookie to have 25 points, 15 rebounds & 5 steals in a game. He joins Shaq (1993), Ron Harper (1987), Ron Lee (1977) & John Drew (1974) pic.twitter.com/ZDEO3nSlX8

Those splits are baked into the line for tonight’s rematch, as the Raptors opened as an 8.5-point favourite.

After being limited to 1,000 fans for home games over the past couple of months, tonight’s game in Toronto will