Raptors vs. Suns Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
The Toronto Raptors continue a tough five-game swing through the Western Conference with a visit to the talented but underachieving Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Suns have a few guys any team would love to have, led by All-Star Devin Booker, former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton and young wing Kelly Oubre Jr., but this franchise just can’t get out of its own way it seems. The Suns will miss the post-season for a 10th year in a row and finish with a losing record for a sixth straight.
Oubre was having his best season in averaging 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds but last week tore a meniscus in his right knee and is likely done for the year. Believe it or not, a lineup featuring Oubre, Booker, Ayton, Ricky Rubio and Mikal Bridges was the best in the NBA in terms of net rating at plus-20.2 points per 100 possessions. That unit outscored opponents by 92 points in 226 total minutes played.
Toronto won its fifth in a row vs. Phoenix on Feb. 21 at Scotiabank Arena, 118-101. Pascal Siakam was a monster with 37 points and 12 rebounds. Kyle Lowry had 13 points and 10 assists. The Suns shot a season-low 17.6 percent from deep. No player hit more than one three-pointer. Booker had 21 points and Ayton 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Dinos are 8-15 all-time in Phoenix but have won their past two in the desert. Phoenix has covered the past six in the series at home, though.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto lost a third in a row Sunday, 133-118 in Denver – although there’s certainly no shame in losing in the thin air against a very good team like the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic dominated with 23 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists. Siakam was 6-for-21 from the field for 16 points. OG Anunoby had career highs of 32 points and seven steals in easily his best-ever NBA game. He became the first Raptors player with back-to-back games of at least six steals. Both Serge Ibaka and Fred VanVleet missed a second straight game due to injury. Norman Powell started again for FVV and had 24 points and six boards. The Raptors are 5-1 ATS in their past six vs. Western Conference foes.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix was on the fringes of playoff contention but that’s pretty much gone following a three-game losing streak. They lost all three at home, including 115-99 on Saturday to the horrible Golden State Warriors – the Oubre injury appears to have taken all the wind out of the Suns’ sails, so to speak. Golden State trailed for most of the game but went on a 16-0 late in the third quarter. That wasn’t a close finish, but the Suns have eight one-possession losses this season, among the most in the NBA and four shy of the franchise record.
One thing the Suns do well is make free throws, hitting an NBA-best 82.1 per cent from the charity stripe. That would be a franchise record and among the best in league history. Phoenix has a handful of international players on the roster but none from Canada. The Suns are 0-5 ATS in their past five at home.