The Phoenix Suns (9-20) clash against the Toronto Raptors (17-8) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, and will air on The Sports Network.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 217.5 points with Toronto opening as an 11-point favorite.
Toronto Raptors at Phoenix Suns Betting Prediction
The Raptors are hoping for a better outcome after their 96-91 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in their last matchup. Los Angeles’ rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Clippers had 14 offensive rebounds and 57 total rebounds, while the Raptors had three and 42, respectively. Jonas Valanciunas was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
In the Suns’ last game, they fell to the Sacramento Kings, 99-92. Sacramento’s 0.180 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Phoenix, who had a rate of 0.122. The Kings’ mark was above their season average of 0.147, while the Suns’ was below their season average of 0.218. With 18 points on 9-for-24 shooting, T.J. Warren was Phoenix’s leading scorer.
The offense of Phoenix will clash against the stingy defense of Toronto. The Suns rank 25th in offensive efficiency, while the Raptors are eighth in defensive efficiency. The Raptors figure to have the edge on that side of the ball.
Toronto holds records of 17-8 straight up (SU) and 14-11 against the spread (ATS). Raptors games have finished under the total 52.0 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Phoenix is 9-20 SU and 13-14-1 ATS. Of the Suns’ 28 games with betting action, 16 have finished over the total.
Serge Ibaka has averaged 16.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over the last five games for Toronto.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Kyle Lowry put up 20 points, 10 assists and six rebounds and the Raptors defeated the Suns 126-113 but could not cover as 14.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 239 points, which was 14.5 points above the projected point total of 224.5 points. The Raptors had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (18.6 vs. 0.0) and had a better turnover percentage (12.7 vs. 15.6).
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Toronto is 9-6 ATS with 10 unders and 5 overs.
At home, Phoenix is 5-10 ATS with 7 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.
In games where they allow under 100 points, Phoenix is 2-2 and Toronto is 7-2.
When scoring above 100 points, the Raptors are 16-4 and the Suns are 8-12.
Toronto ranks first in points off turnovers per game (19.8) while Phoenix ranks 27th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.2).
The Raptors rank fourth in points in the paint per game (47.7) while the Suns rank 28th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.8).
Toronto ranks sixth in rebounds allowed per game (41.6) while Phoenix ranks 27th (46.1).
The Raptors average 8.4 steals per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Suns rank 27th in steals allowed per game (8.9).
Toronto averages 14.7 fast break points per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Phoenix ranks 25th in fast break points allowed per game (13.8).
The Raptors rank eighth in assists per game (23.2) while the Suns rank 28th (20.0).
Phoenix ranks ninth in second chance points per game (13.5) while Toronto ranks 26th in second chance points allowed per game (13.7).
The Raptors rank fifth in blocks per game (5.4) while the Suns rank 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
Toronto ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (32.0) while Phoenix ranks 21st (25.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Toronto is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Phoenix is 4-1 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.4, up from 7.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 104.0 points per game (2.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.8 points per game (6.6 below their season average).