The Toronto Raptors are making a late push for the Play-In Tournament as they head to Utah to face a Jazz team that has already been eliminated from the playoffs.
Describing the Utah Jazz as “struggling” might be a bit of an understatement. Utah is riding a seven-game losing streak, dropping a 122-115 decision in Memphis on Wednesday, and they sit dead last in the Western Conference, with only the Washington Wizards posting a worst record in the NBA this season.
Toronto, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to know what they’re doing. Management’s plan is clearly to tank, but that strategy has been lost on players and the coaching staff. The Raptors have won back-to-back games and now sit 4.5 games back of Chicago for the final Play-In Tournament spot in the Eastern Conference.
Utah is a 2.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with the total set at 235.5.
Raptors vs. Jazz NBA Betting Odds
This wraps up the season series following Toronto’s 118-109 home win last Friday. Immanuel Quickley went off for a game-high 34 points, while no Utah player scored more than 18. Prior to that game, the Jazz had swept the two previous season series’ between the teams.
Both teams have been solid cover options this season. The Raptors are a sterling 40-26 against the spread, while Utah is 36-30 ATS. The edge might go to Toronto as they are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games and 7-1 ATS in their last eight against Western Conference opponents.
While the Dinos have split the Over/Under fairly evenly, the Jazz have leaned heavily toward the Over, finishing above the total in 13 of their last 18 games.
Toronto Raptors
Management did what it could to tank Toronto against the 76ers on Wednesday, but the Raptors still pulled out a 118-105 win, dropping from the fifth-best to the sixth-best odds to win the draft lottery. Four starters were held out of the game, including Quickley (rest), RJ Barrett (personal reasons), Scottie Barnes (finger) and Gradey Dick (bruised knee bone).
Jared Rhoden had a double-double in his second ever start, finishing with a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Orlando Robinson also had career-highs of 25 points and 12 boards. Canadian A.J. Lawson led the way off the bench with a team-high 28 points, six rebounds and four assists.
When you’re wondering who will be available for Toronto and Utah, keep this in mind. A total of 17 players were held out of the lineup between the Raptors and Sixers. Those 17 players will make a combined $268 million this season, 77 per cent of the teams’ payrolls. With the Jazz also tanking, it could be a similar story on Friday.
Utah Jazz
It’s tough to describe the worst team in the Western Conference as more successful than Toronto, but Utah really is at the moment as they’ve perfected their tank on this seven-game losing skid. The Jazz are winless in the month of March and they were terrible on Wednesday. Utah shot about even with Memphis from the floor, but their three-point and free throw shooting were each 10 per cent worse than the Grizzlies.
Collin Sexton and John Collins each finished with 22 points on Wednesday, with Sexton adding eight rebounds and seven assists while Collins had seven boards. Leading scorer Lauri Markkanen was held to 14 points in his first game sine Feb. 22. The Jazz were actually fined $100,000 by the NBA for violating the league Player Participation Policy by holding Markkanen out of games.
One weird trend for a team as bad as Utah is their elite rebounding ability. The Jazz outrebounded Memphis 60-39, including 17 off the offensive glass. Utah’s average of 46.1 rebounds per game is third-best in the NBA.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Raptors vs. Jazz?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 14 Mar 3:46am | - | - | O +230.5 -110 |
| Closing 15 Mar 3:45am | - | - | U +233.5 -140 |
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
| Points |
21.09 |
| Assists |
5.82 |
| Rebounds |
9.6 |
| FG% |
62.7 |
| Steals |
1.43 |
| Blocks |
1.25 |
| Points |
18.98 |
| Assists |
6.28 |
| Rebounds |
12.19 |
| FG% |
66.3 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
2.38 |
- Regular Season
Jazz Team Leaders
| Points |
21.09 |
| Assists |
5.82 |
| Rebounds |
9.6 |
| FG% |
62.7 |
| Steals |
1.43 |
| Blocks |
1.25 |
| Points |
18.98 |
| Assists |
6.28 |
| Rebounds |
12.19 |
| FG% |
66.3 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
2.38 |
Injuries
Chris Boucher (PF)
Ochai Agbaji (SG)
Jamal Shead (SG)
Jakob Poeltl (C)
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)
Scottie Barnes (SF)
Scottie Barnes (SF)
Jakob Poeltl (C)
Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Jakob Poeltl (C)
Isaiah Collier (PG)
KJ Martin (PF)
Walker Kessler (C)
Cody Williams (SF)
Collin Sexton (PG)
Walker Kessler (C)
Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Elijah Harkless (SG)
Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Oscar Tshiebwe (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Sun | Illness - 13 / 04 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Boucher is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the the Spurs on Sunday. |
|||||
| Ochai Agbaji (SG) | Ques Fri | Rest - 09 / 04 / 25 | 2-1 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Agbaji was rested in the previous game, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Mavericks on Friday. |
|||||
| Jamal Shead (SG) | Ques Fri | Rest - 09 / 04 / 25 | 2-1 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Shead was rested in the previous game, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Mavericks on Friday. |
|||||
| Jakob Poeltl (C) | Out Sun | Hand - 08 / 04 / 25 | 2-1 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Poeltl is dealing with a right hand contusion, and he is unlikely to dress against the Spurs on Sunday. |
|||||
| Ja'Kobe Walter (SG) | Out Sun | Hip - 08 / 04 / 25 | 2-1 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walter is dealing with a right hip soreness, and he is not expected to play against the Spurs on Sunday. |
|||||
| Scottie Barnes (SF) | Ques Wed | Hand - 04 / 04 / 25 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Barner is battling with a right hand injury, and it is up in the air if he will face the Hornets on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Scottie Barnes (SF) | Ques Thurs | Finger - 02 / 04 / 25 | 2-4 | 4-2 | + - |
|
Barnes is bothered by a finger joint contusion, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Trail Blazers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Jakob Poeltl (C) | Out Sun | Rest - 29 / 03 / 25 | 4-4 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Poeltl has been rested, and he is not projected to suit up against the 76ers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Immanuel Quickley (SG) | Out Sun | Rest - 29 / 03 / 25 | 4-4 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Quickly has been rested, and he is not projected to suit up against the 76ers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Jakob Poeltl (C) | Ques Fri | Rest - 26 / 03 / 25 | 6-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Poeltl is getting rest, and it is unclear if he will be available versus the Hornets on Friday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Collier (PG) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 25 | 1-1 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Collier is nursing a right hamstring soreness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
| KJ Martin (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 04 / 04 / 25 | 1-3 | 5-0 | + - |
|
Martin is ailing with an illness, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Walker Kessler (C) | Out indefinitely | Concussion - 03 / 04 / 25 | 1-3 | 5-0 | + - |
|
Kessler is dealing with a concussion, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Cody Williams (SF) | out for season | Illness - 31 / 03 / 25 | 2-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Williams is ailing with illness, and will miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Collin Sexton (PG) | Ques Wed | Pelvis - 30 / 03 / 25 | 2-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Sexton is dealing with a right pelvic contusion, and is unclear if he will suit up against the Rockets on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Walker Kessler (C) | Ques Wed | Illness - 28 / 03 / 25 | 3-5 | 7-2 | + - |
|
Kessler is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Rockets on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Jordan Clarkson (PG) | Out indefinitely | Foot - 25 / 03 / 25 | 3-6 | 7-3 | + - |
|
Clarkson is dealing with a foot injury, and there is no timetable for his return. |
|||||
| Elijah Harkless (SG) | Out indefinitely | Groin - 22 / 03 / 25 | 4-7 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Harkless is nursing a groin strain, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Jordan Clarkson (PG) | Ques Sun | Foot - 21 / 03 / 25 | 4-7 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Clarkson is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Cavaliers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Oscar Tshiebwe (PF) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 20 / 03 / 25 | 4-8 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Tshiebwe is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and his status for the clash against the Grizzlies on Tuesday is up in the air. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 14 Mar 3:46am - - O +230.5 -110 Closing 15 Mar 3:45am - - U +233.5 -140 -
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
Points 21.09
Assists 5.82
Rebounds 9.6
FG% 62.7
Steals 1.43
Blocks 1.25
Points 18.98
Assists 6.28
Rebounds 12.19
FG% 66.3
Steals 1.67
Blocks 2.38
-
- Regular Season
Jazz Team Leaders
Points 21.09
Assists 5.82
Rebounds 9.6
FG% 62.7
Steals 1.43
Blocks 1.25
Points 18.98
Assists 6.28
Rebounds 12.19
FG% 66.3
Steals 1.67
Blocks 2.38
-
Injuries
Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Sun Illness - 13 / 04 / 25Ochai Agbaji (SG)
Ques Fri Rest - 09 / 04 / 25Jamal Shead (SG)
Ques Fri Rest - 09 / 04 / 25Jakob Poeltl (C)
Out Sun Hand - 08 / 04 / 25Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)
Out Sun Hip - 08 / 04 / 25Scottie Barnes (SF)
Ques Wed Hand - 04 / 04 / 25Scottie Barnes (SF)
Ques Thurs Finger - 02 / 04 / 25Jakob Poeltl (C)
Out Sun Rest - 29 / 03 / 25Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Out Sun Rest - 29 / 03 / 25Jakob Poeltl (C)
Ques Fri Rest - 26 / 03 / 25Isaiah Collier (PG)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 25KJ Martin (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 04 / 25Walker Kessler (C)
Out indefinitely Concussion - 03 / 04 / 25Cody Williams (SF)
out for season Illness - 31 / 03 / 25Collin Sexton (PG)
Ques Wed Pelvis - 30 / 03 / 25Walker Kessler (C)
Ques Wed Illness - 28 / 03 / 25Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Out indefinitely Foot - 25 / 03 / 25Elijah Harkless (SG)
Out indefinitely Groin - 22 / 03 / 25Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Ques Sun Foot - 21 / 03 / 25Oscar Tshiebwe (PF)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 20 / 03 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Sun Illness - 13 / 04 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Boucher is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the the Spurs on Sunday.
Ochai Agbaji (SG) Ques Fri Rest - 09 / 04 / 25 2-1 3-0 + - Agbaji was rested in the previous game, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Mavericks on Friday.
Jamal Shead (SG) Ques Fri Rest - 09 / 04 / 25 2-1 3-0 + - Shead was rested in the previous game, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Mavericks on Friday.
Jakob Poeltl (C) Out Sun Hand - 08 / 04 / 25 2-1 3-0 + - Poeltl is dealing with a right hand contusion, and he is unlikely to dress against the Spurs on Sunday.
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG) Out Sun Hip - 08 / 04 / 25 2-1 3-0 + - Walter is dealing with a right hip soreness, and he is not expected to play against the Spurs on Sunday.
Scottie Barnes (SF) Ques Wed Hand - 04 / 04 / 25 2-3 3-2 + - Barner is battling with a right hand injury, and it is up in the air if he will face the Hornets on Wednesday.
Scottie Barnes (SF) Ques Thurs Finger - 02 / 04 / 25 2-4 4-2 + - Barnes is bothered by a finger joint contusion, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
Jakob Poeltl (C) Out Sun Rest - 29 / 03 / 25 4-4 5-3 + - Poeltl has been rested, and he is not projected to suit up against the 76ers on Sunday.
Immanuel Quickley (SG) Out Sun Rest - 29 / 03 / 25 4-4 5-3 + - Quickly has been rested, and he is not projected to suit up against the 76ers on Sunday.
Jakob Poeltl (C) Ques Fri Rest - 26 / 03 / 25 6-4 5-5 + - Poeltl is getting rest, and it is unclear if he will be available versus the Hornets on Friday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Isaiah Collier (PG) Ques Sun Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 25 1-1 3-0 + - Collier is nursing a right hamstring soreness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.
KJ Martin (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 04 / 25 1-3 5-0 + - Martin is ailing with an illness, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Walker Kessler (C) Out indefinitely Concussion - 03 / 04 / 25 1-3 5-0 + - Kessler is dealing with a concussion, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Cody Williams (SF) out for season Illness - 31 / 03 / 25 2-4 5-2 + - Williams is ailing with illness, and will miss the remainder of the season.
Collin Sexton (PG) Ques Wed Pelvis - 30 / 03 / 25 2-4 5-2 + - Sexton is dealing with a right pelvic contusion, and is unclear if he will suit up against the Rockets on Wednesday.
Walker Kessler (C) Ques Wed Illness - 28 / 03 / 25 3-5 7-2 + - Kessler is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Rockets on Wednesday.
Jordan Clarkson (PG) Out indefinitely Foot - 25 / 03 / 25 3-6 7-3 + - Clarkson is dealing with a foot injury, and there is no timetable for his return.
Elijah Harkless (SG) Out indefinitely Groin - 22 / 03 / 25 4-7 8-4 + - Harkless is nursing a groin strain, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Jordan Clarkson (PG) Ques Sun Foot - 21 / 03 / 25 4-7 8-4 + - Clarkson is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Oscar Tshiebwe (PF) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 20 / 03 / 25 4-8 8-5 + - Tshiebwe is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and his status for the clash against the Grizzlies on Tuesday is up in the air.