If it seems like the same handful of teams are showcased every Thursday on the TNT doubleheader, well, that’s largely true. The network paid a few billion for the solo national rights to telecast the NBA on Thursdays, so it has a say in which teams it wants to show.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

The TNT opener this week is the Toronto Raptors at San Antonio Spurs. Solid matchup on the court, but the clear story line is Kawhi Leonard’s return to San Antonio. He forced his way out of town by barely playing last year, and the Spurs shipped him and Danny Green north of the border this past summer for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick.

For this year, the Raptors are clear winners of the trade as Leonard is playing at an MVP level and Toronto is battling for the NBA’s best record – it’s the betting favorite to win the Eastern Conference. However, Leonard can still walk after this season as a free agent. The Spurs are a bit above average with DeRozan, who is having one of his better seasons. Where the Spurs might win that trade long term is the fact DeRozan is under contract through the 2020-21 season (if he exercises a player option).