The Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns meet on a night when half the teams are playing on the NBA schedule. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. ET Monday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. It is a meeting between two teams battling for playoff positions in their respective conferences.
The Raptors (23-28) are 12th in the Eastern Conference but are a game back of the final two play-in spots entering Monday. They have vastly underachieved and could use a boost with a win.
Still, according to multiple media reports, Toronto also controls the NBA trade market and may not decide to be buyers or sellers until closer to the trade deadline. This game could go a long way in deciding that.
The Suns (26-25) are seventh in the Western Conference, but a game separates them from fourth and hosting a playoff series instead of being stuck in the play-in tournament. They have dealt withNBA injuries, including Devin Booker, who is still out with a groin injury.
Before making Raptors vs. Suns picks, here is important information on each team, series history, and NBA odds today.
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Odds
Two points favor the Suns with an over/under of 220.5 points. The Toronto Raptors odds on the moneyline are +110, while the Suns are -130.
The Raptors have won the last two meetings and seven of the last ten straight up. During that stretch, the teams are 5-5 against the spread, and the under is 6-4. One of the more recent NBA matchups has the Suns with 32 wins to the Raptors’ 20 wins in 52 regular season games.
Of late, though, the over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Phoenix, the Raptors are 2-7 against the spread in the last nine games in Phoenix, and 5-14 against the spread in the last 19 meetings in Phoenix.
That gives some indication of which way Raptors vs Suns picks have gone in the past, but here is a closer look at tonight’s meeting.
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Information
Toronto Raptors vs Phoenix Suns
Location of the game: Footprint Center. Phoenix, AZ.
Date: Monday, January 30. 8:00 PM CT.
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Raptors Surprise Teams with Three Wins in Four Games Despite Being Underdogs
The Toronto Raptors have won three of their last four games, including a 2-1 start on this road trip which is not helping matters for teams who want to trade for their players. They have also been underdogs in two of those three wins (underdogs in each road game this trip).
Toronto likes to play a slower tempo and run more half-court sets under coach Nick Nurse.
The Raptors are 19th in scoring 112.9 points per game, but the real struggles are in efficiency. They rank third words in converting 45.3% of field goal attempts and 33.4% of 3-point shots, NBA team stats show. They are 12th at the free throw line at 79.1% and 18th in rebounding, grabbing 42.6 per game.
Defensively, they are ninth in holding teams to 112.3 points per game, but the efficiency is not good. The Raptors are third worst in allowing teams to make 49.0% of field goal attempts and second last in allowing 37.4% on 3-point shots. They are 10th in allowing 42.6 rebounds per game.
They have lost Otto Porter Jr. (toe) for the season and will be without O.G. Anunoby (wrist) Monday, while Dalano Banton is questionable (hip). Anunoby is the fourth leading scorer at 16.9 points per game and is a defensive menace with 2.1 steals per game, so his presence will be missed, NBA player stats show.
The team is playing well, looking at individual numbers, but they are not as efficient on either end of the court as they need to be to play winning basketball.
Phoenix Suns’ Strong Performance Continues with Five Wins in Six Games
The Phoenix Suns have been taking care of business as winners of five of their last six games, including a 2-1 record against likely playoff teams. While it is unknown what Phoenix Suns stats tonight behold, the club has proven to be efficient at times.
The Suns are 20th offensively, scoring 112.9 points per game, and 22nd at making 46.2% of field goal attempts. They are third in making 38.8% of 3-point shots and eighth in making 79.4% on free throw attempts. They are 13th in grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Defensively, the Suns are fifth in holding teams to 111.6 points per game. They are 11th in allowing a 46.9% conversion rate on field goal attempts and 20th in allowing 36.2% on 3-point shots. They are 13th in allowing 43.1 rebounds per game.
Booker, Cameron Payne (foot), and Landry Shamet (foot) are all out Monday, with the first two out until early February at the earliest. Playing without their leading scorer (Booker at 27.1 points per game) and losing key rotation players in Payne (12.1 ppg) and Shamet (9.5 ppg) is certainly hurt on the backcourt. So far, other players have stepped up as needed.
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Prediction
NBA picks today show fans are siding with the Suns, with 68% of bets on the Suns to cover the spread, according to early public betting data. As of publication, 55% of public bets are on the over.
A deeper dive into the numbers shows the Suns are 17-15 against the spread as favorites and 4-6 when favored by 2.5 points or less. They are 15-11 against the spread at home.
Meanwhile, the Raptors are 13-9 against the spread as underdogs, though they are 4-7 against the spread as underdogs of 2.5 points or less. They are 11-13 against the spread on the road.
The Suns are favored despite being down three of their top seven players. They have been better defensively and are most efficient on the perimeter offensively, which opens up space for Deandre Ayton to operate on the low block.
It will likely be Pascal Siakam who draws the assignment on Ayton as Toronto’s best defender. The Raptors have good size and length and can switch many screens as a result. They are athletic and should be better defensively than the data shows, which is likely why they are waiting to make a trade deadline decision.
Our Raptors vs Suns picks lean toward Suns -2. They are 18-8 straight up at home, and the Raptors are 8-16 straight up on the road. We’ll also go under 220.5 points because of the inefficiencies the Raptors face on both ends of the court.
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