In interconference action, a pair of stumbling squads will aim to get it together when the Toronto Raptors host the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
This is the first of two clashes between these squads, which are middling in the conference standings. They’ll meet again, in Arizona, on Jan. 30.
Let’s study this one by looking at some NBA team stats and how each team has done poorly in recent NBA matchups; then, we’ll make some Suns vs Raptors betting picks.
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Odds
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Game Info and Analysis
Matchup Info
- When: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
- Watch: Bally Sports
Toronto Raptors Performance Recap and Analysis
The Raptors (15-20) have lost eight of their last ten games, including a current two-game losing skid. Those most recent defeats came at home against the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis.
Toronto bowed to the Grizzlies, 119-106, on Thursday night and watched Ja Morant dish out a career-high 17 assists. Pascal Siakam stood out for the Raptors, bucketing 25 points and pulling down ten rebounds to post a double-double before fouling out.
It marked the sixth game in a row where Siakam pinned up at least 25 in the scoring column. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. helped out with 20 points and O.G. Anunoby with 16.
Key Injuries
Forward Otto Porter Jr. hasn’t taken part in a game since Nov. 14 and is out for at least another month with a hip injury. Another forward, Precious Achiuwa, missed Thursday with an ankle ailment.
Fred VanVleet is day-to-day with an unspecified injury.
Betting Trends to Know
Toronto has lost five consecutive home fixtures.
Siakam paces the crew with an average of 26.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per contest. Other Raptors to be putting up double-digits in points each time out are Anunoby, Trent Jr., VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, and Chris Boucher.
Phoenix Suns Performance Recap and Analysis
Phoenix (20-16) has dropped four of five. They lost to Washington, 127-102, on Wednesday. The Wizards were missing Bradley Beal but got fill-in contributions from Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma.
DeAndre Ayton netted 31 points and Chris Paul 20 for the Suns, who fell to 1-2 on their six-game road swing.
Key Injuries
We’ll have to factor in that the Suns are a banged-up bunch before zeroing in on any Suns vs Raptors betting picks.
Forwards Jae Crowder and Cam Johnson (knee) are out. As are guards Devin Booker (groin), Cameron Payne (foot), and Landry Shamet.
Betting Trends to Know
With Booker out for a least a month, Ayton takes over as the team’s most consistent scorer. He pours in 18.1 points per game.
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Odds
Finally, let’s check out some betting lines before we lock down our Suns vs Raptors betting picks.
This one is a pick-em on NBA odds, with the host Raptors listed as one-point favorites. With both teams’ struggles factored in with what should be a home-court advantage for Toronto against the limping Suns, we can see why.
The Raptors are -110 to cover, while Phoenix is the same. On the money line, Toronto is -116, while the Suns are a -102 underdog.
The total is set at 222.5 points, with the over at -110 and the under down at -110.
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Picks
Toronto Raptors moneyline
The Raptors are relatively healthy and should have their top guys all on the floor. Phoenix is just starting the process of finding an identity without arguably its best player.
Under
The Suns were a bit of a two-man team their last time out, barely cracking 100 points. Don’t count on them to keep pace with their hosts.
Spread
The spread in this one favors the home team. Take the Raptors to win by at least one, obviously.
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Score Prediction
Having seen how both have done on the NBA schedule and the NBA player stats that go with that, let’s make the score prediction that accompanies our Suns vs Raptors betting picks.
In line with our NBA picks, go with Toronto to win, 114-102.
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