Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction, NBA Odds
The Toronto Raptors will enjoy a golden opportunity to get back on track after suffering lopsided defeats in each of their past two games when they host the freefalling Utah Jazz on Sunday night in NBA betting action at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors return home after falling 130120 in Orlando on Friday night, and now trail Boston and New York by two games in the race for second place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Jazz open a five-game road trip on Sunday after suffering losses by double-digit margins in each of the five dates on their recent home stand, capped by a 109-99 loss to the woeful Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. The Jazz have also lost four straight on the road, but have gone 2-4 SU and 5-1 ATS in their past six as double-digit road dog.
The Raptors get set to hit the court as 10.5-point home favourites on Sunday’s NBA odds. The Jazz trail as lengthy +360 underdogs on the NBA moneyline, and the total is pegged at 235.5.
Jazz vs. Raptors NBA Betting Odds
The Raptors ride a two-game head-to-head win streak after sweeping last season’s two-game series with the Jazz, including a 118-109 victory in Toronto as 5.5-point home chalk. Last season’s success put the brakes on a 1-7 SU run versus Utah that featured a trio of defeats on home hardwood. These clubs have regularly combined to generate big points, with the total reaching 230 in six of seven clashes, fueling a steady 7-1 run for the OVER. However, the Jazz have also seen big totals in recent contests, but mostly recorded by their opponents. Overall, the Jazz have been lit up for 129.2 points per game during their current 1-9 SU run, and their defence sits dead last in the NBA with 127.4 points allowed per game this season.
Currently stalled in 13th place in the West, Utah’s 5-19 road record is now the fourth worst in the NBA. After stunning league-leading Oklahoma City with a 103-101 comeback win last weekend, the Raptors faded fast in two subsequent losses, to New York and Orlando, and have work to do to halt a three-game SU and ATS slide at home, during which they have lost by over 14 points per game. However, the Raptors are on a reliable 17-1 SU run as double-digit home chalk but failed to cover in their past two.
Utah Jazz
Amid the club’s lengthening swoon, third-year guard Keyonte George has given Jazz fans reason to be hopeful. The former first-round pick led the way with 26 points and seven assists in Friday’s loss to the Nets, and has compiled 26.3 points and 5.8 helpers per game over his pat 10 outings. However, the 22-year-old remains listed as a game-time decision on Sunday due to an ankle sprain he suffered versus Brooklyn.
With Jusuf Nurkic on the shelf with an injury, big man Kyle Filipowski has stepped. The 22-year-old contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds on Friday for his fourth double-double of the season and has recorded 10+ boards four times in 12 outings and eight times this season. Top scorer Lauri Markkanen was given the night off to rest on Friday, and will be aiming to build on his recent strong road performances that have generated 27.1 points and eight boards per game.
Toronto Raptors
While the Raptors ran out of gas as Friday’s loss to Orlando progressed, Brandon Ingram still managed to turn in one of his most productive performances of the season, racking up a game-high 35 points. Ingram has now averaged 31 points over the past two games but has struggled to put up consistent numbers at home, where he has reached 20 points just once in four outings. However, “BI” has had plenty of experience facing the Jazz, and has averaged 23.9 points per game in his past 16 appearances versus Utah.
Scottie Barnes contributed 19 points and set team highs with eight rebounds and six helpers. Overall, Barnes has posted double-doubles in two of thee outings and generated double-digit assist totals five times since late December, and is worth a value wager as a +1450 bet to tally his third triple-double since Christmas Day.
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