The Toronto Raptors (24-12) meet the Portland Trail Blazers (15-22) at Scotiabank Arena. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, and will air on The Sports Network.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Prediction
In the Trail Blazers’ last matchup, they were topped by the Miami Heat, 122-111, and were unable to cover as 5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (233) came in well over the projected point total of 215.5. Miami’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Portland. The Heat had a rate of 25.6 (above their season average of 22.1), while the Trail Blazers posted a mark of 18.2. Damian Lillard was the game’s high scorer with 34 points on 11-for-22 shooting.
The Raptors won big over the Brooklyn Nets in their last outing, 121-102, despite being 2-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (223) were over the O/U total of 216. Toronto’s 6.0 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Brooklyn, who had a mark of 22.7. The Raptors’ mark was better than their season average of 12.7, while the Nets’ was above their season average of 12.9. Fred VanVleet was the game’s leading scorer with 29 points on 11-for-19 shooting from the field.
Toronto could have their way on the defensive side of the ball as they battle against one of the NBA’s worst offenses. The Raptors currently rank second in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.494), while Portland is 21st in effective field goal percentage (0.519).
Portland holds records of 15-22 straight up (SU) and 14-21-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Trail Blazers’ 37 games, 18 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Toronto is 24-12 SU and 20-16 ATS. Vegas has been spot on when setting the O/U total of Raptors games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Hassan Whiteside (17 points,15.4 rebounds,3.2 blocks) has been great for the Trail Blazers while Serge Ibaka (17 points,10.4 rebounds) has made solid contributions to the Raptors.
This will be the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 36 points and the Raptors, who were 3.5-point underdogs, defeated the Trail Blazers 114-106. He also put up six rebounds. The game finished with a total of 220 points, which was just 0.5 points above the projected point total of 219.5 points. The Raptors had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.4 vs. 23.4) and had a better free throw rate (0.174 vs. 0.135).
Trail Blazers vs. Raptors ATS Pick
Free NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Toronto averages 46.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. Portland ranks 29th in rebounds allowed per game (47.7).
Toronto ranks second in fast break points per game (17.7) while Portland ranks 17th in fast break points allowed per game (13.1).
The Raptors rank 19th in points in the paint per game (46.5) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (43.6).
Portland is 8-11-1 ATS on the road, while Toronto is 11-8 ATS at home.
Over its last five games, Portland is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Toronto is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over its last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.0, up from 1.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 104.8 points per game (6.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 95.6 points per game (9.6 below their season average).
