The Toronto Raptors (14-7) will attempt to lengthen their six-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Phoenix Suns (9-16) at Air Canada Centre. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, and will air on NBATV.
Toronto opened as a 13-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 224.5 points.
Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors Free Prediction
In the Suns’ last contest, they beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 115-101. The Suns had 10 steals and held the 76ers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.467 (below their season average of 0.517). Phoenix was lifted by Devin Booker, who was the game’s leading scorer with 46 points on 17-for-32 shooting.
The Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers in their last outing, 120-115. Toronto held the Pacers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.480 (below their season average of 0.538). Indiana, on the other hand, did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (17-22; 77.3 percent). DeMar DeRozan led Toronto in scoring with 26 points on 9-for-21 shooting.
The productive offense of Toronto will clash against the porous defense of Phoenix. The Raptors currently rank fourth in offensive efficiency, while the Suns are 28th in defensive efficiency. The Raptors figure to have the edge on that end of the court.
Phoenix heads into the game with records of 9-16 straight up (SU) and 10-13-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Suns are involved, as 62.5 percent of their games have ended over the total.
Meanwhile, Toronto owns records of 14-7 SU and 12-9 ATS. In opposition of Phoenix, games featuring the Raptors have gone under the total 52.4 percent of the time.
Kyle Lowry has averaged 22.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.8 steals over the last five games for Toronto.
After the Suns won both contests against the Raptors last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last contest, Phoenix won 115-103. Phoenix had a better offensive rebounding percentage (20.0 vs. 15.6). Toronto, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (8.4 vs. 14.1).
Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Phoenix is 6-4-1 ATS on the road with 8 overs and 3 unders.
Toronto is 5-4 ATS at home with 6 overs and 3 unders.
When allowing less than 100 points, Toronto is 6-1 and Phoenix is 2-1.
When scoring above 100 points, the Raptors are 13-4 and the Suns are 8-10.
Toronto averages 19.8 points off turnovers per game, which ranks third in the league. Phoenix ranks 27th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.8).
The Raptors rank sixth in assists per game (23.3) while the Suns rank 29th (20.1).
Toronto averages 5.7 blocks per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Phoenix ranks 25th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
The Raptors average 49.4 points in the paint per game, which ranks third in the NBA. The Suns rank 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.3).
Toronto ranks seventh in fast break points per game (13.2) while Phoenix ranks 29th in fast break points allowed per game (14.3).
The Suns average 13.8 second chance points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. The Raptors rank 28th in second chance points allowed per game (14.1).
Toronto ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.4) while Phoenix ranks 25th (46.4).
The Raptors average 8.2 steals per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. The Suns rank 29th in steals allowed per game (9.0).
Toronto ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.0) while Phoenix ranks 14th (28.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Phoenix is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Toronto is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.2, down from 7.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 112.4 points per game (1.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.2 points per game (0.5 above their season average).
