Raptors vs. Suns Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
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.
TOR
PHO