Raptors vs. Jazz Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
Utah is a rising power in the Western Conference, so forget about the Jazz’s 4-5 record. This team was supposed to be rebuilding last season when it lost All-Star swingman Gordon Hayward in free agency to the Boston Celtics.
However, Utah struck gold in the 2017 draft by selecting Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell at No. 13 overall. If you redraft that group, Mitchell either goes at the top spot or No. 2 behind Boston’s Jayson Tatum. Mitchell helped lead Utah to 48 wins and the Western Conference semifinals. More on Mitchell below. The Jazz essentially have to build through the draft because no big-time free agents are likely to choose to play in Salt Lake City.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Utah is 27-16 all-time vs. Toronto and 14-8 at home – but hast lost the past two there. The Raptors won 109-100 early last season at Vivint Smart Home Arena. DeMar DeRozan had 37 points and Kyle Lowry 15 points and 10 assists. Mitchell wasn’t even a starter for Utah yet but led the team with 25 points. The Jazz did win in Toronto, though, 97-93. Ricky Rubio hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with five seconds left. Mitchell had 26 points, while Jonas Valanciunas led the Raptors with 28.
Toronto’s C.J. Miles spent seven seasons with the Jazz, and Raptors backup guard Delon Wright starred collegiately at the University of Utah.
The Raptors are 9-1 ATS in the past 10 meetings.
Toronto Raptors
Could be a bit of a letdown game for Toronto after Sunday night’s impressive 121-107 victory at LeBron James’ Lakers. Serge Ibaka had the game of his life, making his first 14 shots on the way to a career-high 34 points. It was over after a quarter with Toronto leading 42-17. Ibaka, who finished 15 of 17 and added 10 rebounds, was the first NBA player to start 14-for-14 from the field since Shaquille O’Neal in February 2006. Lowry added 21 points and 15 assists. Kawhi Leonard sat out after injuring his foot Friday in Phoenix. As of this writing, it’s not clear if he will go Monday. OG Anunoby started for him in L.A. The Raptors have covered their past four in the second of a back-to-back.
Utah Jazz
It’s up in the air if Mitchell will play Monday as he’s dealing with a left ankle sprain. He was injured in Saturday’s 103-88 loss in Denver – the Jazz’s third straight defeat but also their third game in four nights. They clearly ran out of gas in that one, leading entering the fourth quarter but then outscored 35-15. Mitchell leads the team in scoring at 22.4 ppg.
Rudy Gobert is second and puts up 16.6 points, 13.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game – he’s an annual Defensive Player of the Year candidate (like Leonard). Gobert, shooting an absurd 71.8 per cent from the field this year, is averaging 15.3 points and 13 rebounds in his past four vs. Toronto. Utah’s Derrick Favors, Jae Crowder and Alec Burks are also banged up but likely to play. Utah is 6-2 ATS in its past eight vs. Eastern Conference teams.
