The Toronto Raptors (30-15) will attempt to extend a nine-game winning streak when they take on the Phoenix Suns (14-33) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game gets underway at 9:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 2 and will air on FA+ and TSN.
The Suns lost big to the Cavaliers 115-93 in their last game. Devin Booker finished with 16 points to lead the team. The Raptors, meanwhile, are coming off a 106-89 win over the Wizards in their last outing. Kyle Lowry shot 8-for-14 and led in scoring with 29 points.
This game should be a matchup of contrasting styles. The Suns (ranked fourth in the league in possessions per game) prefer an up-tempo style of play, while the Raptors (26th) are more half-court-oriented.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Suns won the first game 107-102. Despite the loss, DeMar DeRozan was the game’s leading scorer with 29 points.
The Suns are a heavy 10-point underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is 204 points. The Suns are looking to improve on their records of 14-35 Straight Up (SU) and 18-31 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 2-8 ATS over their last 10 games. Phoenix has averaged 92.6 points per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 100.5. The Suns are an impressive shooting team from three-point range with a .371 three-point field goal percentage, one of the highest marks in the NBA.
On the other side, the Raptors head into the game with records of 26-20-1 ATS and 32-15 SU. Most recently, Toronto is 7-3 ATS over the last 10 games. Toronto is one of the top foul-shooting teams in the league, knocking down 20.0 shots from the line per game. Toronto’s defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking fifth in the NBA with only 97.0 points allowed per game. Toronto may be taking trips to the free throw line early and often with the Suns averaging 22.7 fouls per game, one of the highest marks in the NBA.
The Suns’ win over Toronto in their last game moved their SU record against Toronto to 6-4 over the last 10 meetings. Additionally, with a 7-3 record, the Suns have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, ATS Winner – Tor, O/U – Under
Notes
Phoenix is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix’s last 5 games.
Phoenix is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Phoenix’s last 12 games at home.
Phoenix is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix’s last 5 games when playing Toronto.
Phoenix is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games when playing Toronto.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix’s last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto.
Phoenix is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Toronto.
On average, Toronto puts up 101.4 points per game (ranked 16th). Phoenix ranks 28th in points allowed per game with 106.5.
Phoenix ranks 24th in points allowed per home game (103.2 PPG), while Toronto ranks 18th in points per away game with 98.9.
Phoenix has a 6-5 record when allowing fewer than 100 points. Toronto has a 9-7 record when failing to hit the century mark.
The Phoenix Suns have a subpar 8-28 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Toronto Raptors are 21-8 when they hit triple digits.
The Suns have an offensive rating of 100.8 (ranked 27th). The Raptors rank ninth for their defensive rating of 101.2.
Phoenix averages 100.6 possessions per game, scoring 1.008 points on each possession. While Toronto averages fewer possessions per game with 95.3, the team scores more points per possession with 1.063.
Toronto has an average effective field goal percentage of 49.8%. Phoenix is an underachieving 6-31 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Phoenix attempts 25.0 three pointers and Toronto attempts 23.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Suns have a 7-19 record while the Raptors have a solid 12-7 record.
Phoenix has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.28 this season (ranked 29th). Toronto ranks higher with an A/TO of 1.44 (ranked 23rd).
The Phoenix Suns rebound 42.8 times per game and are ranked 20th. Ranked 12th, the Toronto Raptors rebound 43.7 times per game.
Phoenix is ranked 22nd in defensive rebounds, while Toronto ranks 20th in offensive rebounds.
On average, the Suns force a turnover rate of 14.9%, ranked ninth in the NBA. When the Raptors turn over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a formidable 13-4 record.
