The Toronto Raptors (32-14) go head-to-head against the Utah Jazz (20-28) at Air Canada Centre. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 26, 2018.
Toronto is a 7-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 207 points.
Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors Free Prediction
The Jazz come in on a high note after just getting past the Detroit Pistons in their last game, 98-95. The Jazz forced 19 turnovers and held the Pistons to an effective field goal percentage of 0.428 (below their season average of 0.513). Utah was lifted by Ricky Rubio, who had 11 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
In the Raptors’ last game, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 108-93. The Raptors had a better free throw rate (0.180 vs. 0.128) and held the Hawks to an effective field goal percentage of 0.431 (below their season average of 0.515). With 16 points and 13 rebounds, Jonas Valanciunas put together a good outing for Toronto.
Ball security could play a significant role in this showdown. Toronto commits the fourth-fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 13.0 percent), while the gambling defense of Utah forces the fourth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.6 percent).
Utah heads into the contest with records of 20-28 straight up (SU) and 24-24 against the spread (ATS). Of the Jazz’s 48 games, 25 have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Toronto owns records of 32-14 SU and 25-21 ATS. Contrary to Utah, just over half of Raptors games have finished over the projected point total.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, DeMar DeRozan scored a game-high 37 points and the Raptors, who were 1.5-point underdogs, defeated the Jazz 109-100. He also had six rebounds. The game finished with a total of 209 points, which was 14.5 points above the projected point total of 194.5 points. Toronto’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Utah. The Raptors had a rate of 0.613 while the Jazz posted a mark of 0.487.
Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Utah is 10-15 ATS with 13 overs, 11 unders and 1 push.
Toronto is 11-9 ATS at home with 10 overs and 10 unders.
Utah is 11-4 when they allow below 100 points, while Toronto is 15-4.
The Raptors are 29-8 when they reach 100 points, while the Jazz are 17-11.
Utah ranks fifth in second chance points allowed per game (11.0) while Toronto ranks 27th (13.6).
The Raptors rank sixth in fast break points per game (13.8) while the Jazz rank 27th (8.9).
Toronto ranks first in points off turnovers per game (18.8) while Utah ranks 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.7).
The Raptors average 8.3 steals per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Jazz rank 21st in steals allowed per game (8.2).
Toronto ranks second in blocks per game (6.0) while Utah ranks 15th (4.8).
The Raptors rank 15th in rebounds per game (43.5) while the Jazz rank 26th (41.1).
Toronto ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (25.5) while Utah ranks ninth (26.9).
The Jazz rank fourth in assists allowed per game (20.4) while the Raptors rank 10th (22.1).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Toronto is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Jazz have outscored opponents by an average of 2.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Utah has lost by an average of 0.9 points.
During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 102.0 points per game (9.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.8 points per game (4.0 below their season average).
