The Toronto Raptors start a four-game road trip through the Western Conference on Wednesday night with a visit to a vastly improved Phoenix Suns team.
The Suns are favoured on the NBA odds.
Wednesday is the only scheduled first-half meeting between the teams, and it’s possible the Suns don’t “visit” the Raptors this season with it shortened to 72 games. The Dinos haven’t had much success against Western Conference teams yet, going 0-3 this year.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Suns served notice they were on the rise over the summer in the Orlando bubble when they were the only team there without a loss – going 8-0. Alas, that came up just short of a playoff berth. The front office was aggressive this offseason, though, in trading for point guard and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul. A Paul/Devin Booker backcourt is one of the NBA’s best.
Toronto won both meetings last season by at least nine points each and has taken six straight overall vs. Phoenix, the Dinos’ longest winning streak in the series. All-time vs. Toronto, the Suns have a nearly identical away record in the series (14-9) as at home (15-9).
Pascal Siakam averaged 35.0 points and 9.5 rebounds vs. Phoenix last year, Kyle Lowry 20.5 points and 8.0 assists, and Norman Powell had 26 points in the one game he played in the series. Booker averaged 21.5 points and 9.0 assists vs. Toronto and former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton 15.0 points and 12.0 rebounds.
Phoenix had covered the spread in eight straight in this series until failing to cover either last season.
Toronto Raptors
The Dinos just can’t get going this season as they lost 126-114 in Tampa to Boston on Monday even though the Celtics were playing the second of a back-to-back and without their top three point guards due to injury. Boston took control by outscoring Toronto 38-14 in the second quarter. Toronto had no answer on defence for Jayson Tatum, who had 40 points. Rookie Payton Pritchard took advantage of a lot more playing time at the point and had 23 points and eight assists in by far his best game.
Fred VanVleet had 35 points and eight assists for Toronto, which rather amazingly has held a double-digit lead in every game yet is 1-5. Centre Aron Baynes was scoreless in 14 minutes and was benched coming out of halftime for Alex Len. Baynes played 42 games with the Suns last season, averaging career bests of 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. Len was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 draft by Phoenix but never lived up to expectations. Toronto has covered once in its past five at a Western Conference team.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix (5-2 ATS) will be well-rested as it last played Sunday and had a four-game winning streak snapped in a 112-107 home loss to the Clippers. Ayton had a nice game in the loss with 24 points and eight rebounds. He’s shooting 76 per cent from the field in the past two games. Booker had 25 points and eight assists. He leads the team in scoring at 21.1 ppg.
The Suns drafted Maryland center Jalen Smith with the No. 10 overall pick in 2020, but he hasn’t done much yet in part due to a left ankle sprain. He may miss this game. Suns reserve guard Cameron Payne played for the Raptors briefly in the 2019 preseason. Phoenix is 3-7 ATS in its past 10 at home vs. Eastern Conference teams.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Raptors vs. Suns?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 5 Jan 8:46pm | TOR | -2.5 -110 | O +217.5 -110 |
| Closing 7 Jan 2:02am | TOR | -3 -115 | O +219.5 -109 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Raptors Team Leaders
| Points |
21.36 |
| Assists |
7.35 |
| Rebounds |
7.58 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
| Points |
25.55 |
| Assists |
8.89 |
| Rebounds |
10.54 |
| FG% |
62.6 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
27.32 |
| Assists |
8.55 |
| Rebounds |
11.82 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
| Points |
21.36 |
| Assists |
7.35 |
| Rebounds |
7.58 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
| Points |
25.55 |
| Assists |
8.89 |
| Rebounds |
10.54 |
| FG% |
62.6 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
27.32 |
| Assists |
8.55 |
| Rebounds |
11.82 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
Injuries
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Jalen Harris (PG)
Yuta Watanabe (SG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Torrey Craig (SF)
Dario Saric (SF)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Cameron Payne (PG)
Cameron Payne (PG)
Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)
Jae Crowder (SF)
Deandre Ayton (C)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Sun | Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Sunday's showdown with the Pacers as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Sun | Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
VanVleet will not line up against the Pacers on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Friday's showdown with the Mavericks as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
VanVleet will not line up against the Mavericks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jalen Harris (PG) | Doub Fri | Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Harris is nursing a foot injury, and he is not expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Mavericks. |
|||||
| Yuta Watanabe (SG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Watanabe was held out of the previous game with a foot injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Pacers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Fri | Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Boucher missed the last game due to a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will participate in Friday's contest with the Mavericks. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Thursday's showdown with the Bulls as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet will not line up against the Bulls on Thursday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Tues | Rest - 10 / 05 / 21 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Lowry will not be in the lineup against the Clippers on Tuesday, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrey Craig (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 09 / 07 / 21 | 2-3 | 3-1-1 | + - |
|
Craig is bothered by a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks. |
|||||
| Dario Saric (SF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 06 / 07 / 21 | 3-3 | 4-1-1 | + - |
|
Saric has torn his right ACL and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Ques Tues | Illness - 30 / 06 / 21 | 3-4 | 5-1-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Cameron Payne (PG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21 | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | + - |
|
Payne is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference final versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Cameron Payne (PG) | day-to-day | Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21 | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | + - |
|
Payne was lifted from Thursday's game with a left ankle injury, and he will not return. |
|||||
| Ty-Shon Alexander (PG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 03 / 06 / 21 | 11-6 | 9-7-1 | + - |
|
Alexander is ailing from an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Jae Crowder (SF) | Out Sun | Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 | 14-8 | 11-10-2 | + - |
|
Crowder will not suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Spurs, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Deandre Ayton (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 | 14-10 | 12-11-2 | + - |
|
Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Prob Sun | Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21 | 15-12 | 15-11-2 | + - |
|
Johnson has been out of commission due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Prob Sun | Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21 | 17-13 | 18-11-2 | + - |
|
Johnson is tending to a sprained right wrist, but he is likely to take the court Sunday versus the Thunder. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 5 Jan 8:46pm TOR -2.5 -110 O +217.5 -110 Closing 7 Jan 2:02am TOR -3 -115 O +219.5 -109 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Raptors Team Leaders
Points 21.36
Assists 7.35
Rebounds 7.58
FG% 100
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.85
Points 25.55
Assists 8.89
Rebounds 10.54
FG% 62.6
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.17
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 27.32
Assists 8.55
Rebounds 11.82
FG% 100
Steals 1.15
Blocks 1.09
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
Points 21.36
Assists 7.35
Rebounds 7.58
FG% 100
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.85
Points 25.55
Assists 8.89
Rebounds 10.54
FG% 62.6
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.17
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 27.32
Assists 8.55
Rebounds 11.82
FG% 100
Steals 1.15
Blocks 1.09
-
Injuries
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Jalen Harris (PG)
Doub Fri Foot - 14 / 05 / 21Yuta Watanabe (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Fri Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Tues Rest - 10 / 05 / 21Torrey Craig (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 07 / 21Dario Saric (SF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 06 / 07 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Ques Tues Illness - 30 / 06 / 21Cameron Payne (PG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21Cameron Payne (PG)
day-to-day Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)
Ques Wed Illness - 03 / 06 / 21Jae Crowder (SF)
Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Deandre Ayton (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 05 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Prob Sun Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Prob Sun Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Sunday's showdown with the Pacers as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - VanVleet will not line up against the Pacers on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Friday's showdown with the Mavericks as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - VanVleet will not line up against the Mavericks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Jalen Harris (PG) Doub Fri Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Harris is nursing a foot injury, and he is not expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Mavericks.
Yuta Watanabe (SG) Ques Sun Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - Watanabe was held out of the previous game with a foot injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Pacers on Sunday.
Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Fri Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - Boucher missed the last game due to a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will participate in Friday's contest with the Mavericks.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Thursday's showdown with the Bulls as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - VanVleet will not line up against the Bulls on Thursday as he will be given a day of rest.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Tues Rest - 10 / 05 / 21 1-3 1-3 + - Lowry will not be in the lineup against the Clippers on Tuesday, as he will be given a day of rest.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Torrey Craig (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 07 / 21 2-3 3-1-1 + - Craig is bothered by a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks.
Dario Saric (SF) Out indefinitely Knee - 06 / 07 / 21 3-3 4-1-1 + - Saric has torn his right ACL and he will miss an extended period.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Ques Tues Illness - 30 / 06 / 21 3-4 5-1-1 + - Johnson is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Cameron Payne (PG) Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21 4-6 5-4-1 + - Payne is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference final versus the Clippers.
Cameron Payne (PG) day-to-day Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21 4-6 5-4-1 + - Payne was lifted from Thursday's game with a left ankle injury, and he will not return.
Ty-Shon Alexander (PG) Ques Wed Illness - 03 / 06 / 21 11-6 9-7-1 + - Alexander is ailing from an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets.
Jae Crowder (SF) Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 14-8 11-10-2 + - Crowder will not suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Spurs, as he will be given a day of rest.
Deandre Ayton (C) Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 14-10 12-11-2 + - Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Prob Sun Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21 15-12 15-11-2 + - Johnson has been out of commission due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference first round.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Prob Sun Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21 17-13 18-11-2 + - Johnson is tending to a sprained right wrist, but he is likely to take the court Sunday versus the Thunder.