The Sacramento Kings (28-35) will have their hands full against the NBA’s top scoring defense when they take on the Toronto Raptors (44-18) at Golden 1 Center. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8, 2020, and will air on NBATV.
Toronto opened as a 5-point favorite at online sportsbooks, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 227 points.
Toronto Raptors at Sacramento Kings Free Prediction
In the Raptors’ last contest, they topped the Golden State Warriors, 121-113, but they were not able to cover as 9-point favorites. The combined points for the game (234) were over the O/U total of 228.5. The Raptors made 28 of their 31 free throws (90.3 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 10.1 (better than their season average of 12.2). Kyle Lowry was a key piece for Toronto with 26 points, 10 assists and five rebounds.
The Kings were victorious over the Portland Trail Blazers in their last outing, 123-111, despite being 5.5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (234) came in well over the O/U total of 219. The Kings knocked down 20 of their 23 free throws (87.0 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.2 (above their season average of 21.7). Bogdan Bogdanovic was the game’s top scorer with 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field.
The offense of Sacramento will battle against the top-notch defense of Toronto. The Kings rank 19th in offensive efficiency, while the Raptors are second in defensive efficiency. The Raptors should have the edge on that side of the ball.
Toronto comes into the game with records of 44-18 straight up (SU) and 33-28-1 against the spread (ATS). Raptors games have finished over the projected point total 53.2 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Sacramento is 28-35 SU and 32-30 ATS. Kings games also have a slight tendency to finish over the total (51.6 percent).
This will be the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Pascal Siakam recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds and five assists and the Raptors beat the Kings 124-120 but did not cover as 8-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 244 points, which was 25 points above the projected point total of 219 points. Toronto did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (24-29; 82.8 percent). Sacramento, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.5 vs. 6.1).
Raptors at Kings Odds Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Toronto is 15-14-1 ATS on the road with 15 overs, 14 unders and 1 push.
At home, Sacramento is 12-18 ATS with 16 overs and 14 unders.
In games where they allow under 100 points, Toronto is 14-4 and Sacramento is 10-2.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Kings are 26-28 and the Raptors are 42-10.
Sacramento ranks fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.8) while Toronto ranks 26th (14.0).
The Kings average 34.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The Raptors rank last in three pointers allowed per game (38.5).
Toronto ranks first in fast break points per game (19.4) while Sacramento ranks 18th (12.9).
The Raptors average 8.8 steals per game, which ranks second in the NBA. The Kings rank 18th in steals allowed per game (7.8).
Toronto ranks 13th in rebounds per game (45.2) while Sacramento ranks 26th (42.4).
The Kings rank 14th in assists allowed per game (24.5) while the Raptors rank 26th (25.7).
Toronto ranks second in points allowed in the paint per game (41.9) while Sacramento ranks 11th (46.6).
The Raptors rank second in points off turnovers per game (19.9) while the Kings rank ninth (17.3).
Over its last five games, Toronto is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Sacramento is 3-2 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over its last five games.
The Raptors have been outscored by an average of 2.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Toronto has defeated opponents by an average of 6.4 points.
During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 114.8 points per game (5.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.6 points per game (1.8 above their season average).