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NBA Monday best bets, player props: Keep buying the Raptors' defense

Ron Turenne / National Basketball Association / Getty

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The first weekend of the NBA restart is in the books. Bettors and fans got a little bit of everything, from blowouts to shootouts to prime-time upsets.

The action marches on Monday, featuring a solid six-game slate. Ready for some more plays? Here are the best bets and player props to consider.

Miami Heat vs. Toronto Raptors (-2.5, 221)

Toronto unders might be good throughout the restart. While a majority of games over the weekend looked more like scrimmages than meaningful action, the Raptors' defense really buckled down in the team's 107-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

L.A. made just 35.4% of its shots from the floor and 25% of its threes, all while turning the ball over 17 times. The Raptors didn't allow more than 26 points in a single quarter.

Are we that surprised? Toronto's No. 2 in the league in defensive rating and showed no signs of taking the foot off the gas. If the Raptors turn in another solid defensive effort against the Heat, this game should sail comfortably under the total.

Miami's offense runs at the second-slowest pace among bubble teams. It had its way against a depleted Nuggets defense on Saturday, but this is a much tougher matchup.

Monday should feature a slow-paced tilt with both offenses struggling to fill the bucket.

Pick: Under 221

Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-6, 219)

Los Angeles was in a tough spot Saturday, two days removed from an emotional opening-night win over the Clippers. This is a pretty nice buy-low spot against a Jazz team that would probably be 0-2 in the restart if it wasn't for the Pelicans' collapse on Thursday.

The Lakers are 8-3-1 against the spread following an ATS loss and have covered each of the last four meetings against Utah.

Meanwhile, the Jazz are on a pitiful 0-8-1 run ATS after an outright loss and are 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games on one day of rest. L.A. will bounce back in a big way.

Pick: Lakers -6

Player props

Bam Adebayo points - Under 15.5

Adebayo's performed well against the Raptors this season. The Heat center scored 18 points and went plus-10 in the first meeting, then made seven of his eight attempts en route to 15 points in the second.

Don't bet on the big man having his way for the third straight time.

The Raptors allow the third-fewest points to opposing centers this season. They should be prepared to hold Adebayo in check following a tough matchup against Anthony Davis on Saturday. Play the under on Adebayo's point total.

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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