The Toronto Raptors (54-19) go head-to-head against the Los Angeles Clippers (38-34) at Air Canada Centre. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 25, 2018, and will air on The Sports Network.
Toronto opened as an 8.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 225.5 points.
Los Angeles Clippers at Toronto Raptors Betting Prediction
The last time the Clippers played, they were beaten by the Indiana Pacers, 109-104. Indiana out-rebounded Los Angeles. The Pacers had 14 offensive rebounds and 41 total rebounds, while the Clippers had six and 33, respectively. Lou Williams was Los Angeles’ leading scorer with 27 points on 10-for-18 shooting.
The Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets in their last matchup, 116-112. The Raptors held the Nets to an offensive rebounding percentage of 11.6 (below their season average of 21.9) and had a free throw rate of 0.233 (above their season average of 0.207). With 25 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry led the way with his second triple-double this season.
The high-powered offense of Toronto (third in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 112.2) will square off against the mid-tier defense of Los Angeles (17th in the NBA with a defensive efficiency of 107.7). The Raptors should have the edge on that side of the ball. Furthermore, the Clippers are among the league’s elite at getting to the line, ranking fifth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.224). The Raptors, meanhwile, rank 25th at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.213.
Los Angeles comes into the contest with records of 38-34 straight up (SU) and 38-33-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Clippers’ 72 games, 39 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Toronto is 54-19 SU and 40-33 ATS. Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Raptors games, with 38 overs compared to 35 unders.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Jonas Valanciunas scored a game-high 23 points in the first matchup, in which the Raptors lost 96-91, unable to cover as 6-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 187 points, which was 27.5 points below the projected point total of 214.5 points. Los Angeles out-rebounded Toronto. The Clippers had 14 offensive rebounds and 57 total rebounds, while the Raptors had three and 43, respectively.
Los Angeles Clippers at Toronto Raptors ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Los Angeles is 22-14-1 ATS with 19 overs and 18 unders.
At home, Toronto is 19-17 ATS with 18 overs and 18 unders.
Los Angeles is 11-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Toronto is 25-5.
When reaching 100 points, the Clippers are 36-23 and the Raptors are 50-12.
Toronto averages 6.0 blocks per game, which ranks second in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
The Raptors rank fifth in steals allowed per game (7.1) while the Clippers rank 26th (8.5).
Toronto ranks ninth in fast break points per game (13.6) while Los Angeles ranks last in fast break points allowed per game (15.1).
The Raptors rank second in three pointers allowed per game (25.1) while the Clippers rank 22nd (30.2).
Toronto ranks sixth in assists per game (24.1) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd in assists allowed per game (24.3).
The Clippers rank seventh in second chance points per game (13.5) while the Raptors rank 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (13.1).
Los Angeles ranks third in points in the paint per game (51.4) while Toronto ranks 18th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.6).
The Raptors rank fifth in points off turnovers per game (17.8) while the Clippers rank 18th (16.2).
Toronto ranks 16th in rebounds per game (43.7) while Los Angeles ranks 17th in rebounds allowed per game (43.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Toronto is 0-5 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Clippers have been outscored by an average of 6.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Los Angeles has defeated opponents by an average of 0.8 points.
During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 117.0 points per game (4.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 115.4 points per game (11.2 above their season average).
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