The Portland Trail Blazers (15-22) will travel to Scotiabank Arena to square off with the Toronto Raptors (24-12). The game will air on The Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Odds
The Raptors will look to maintain momentum after blowing out the Brooklyn Nets in their last outing, 121-102, as 2-point underdogs. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, were defeated by the Miami Heat, 122-111, and failed to cover as 5-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Toronto game went 7 points over the projected point total of 216, while the Portland game finished 17.5 points over the projected point total of 215.5.
The Raptors had a ridiculously low turnover percentage of 6.0 (better than their season average of 12.7) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 31.9 (above their season average of 21.9). Portland, meanwhile, did a terrific job of converting from the charity stripe (18-20; 90.0 percent). Fred VanVleet played well for Toronto, recording 29 points and 11 assists. Portland received a boost from Damian Lillard, who recorded 34 points and 12 assists.
In their first matchup this season, Pascal Siakam led the Raptors to a 114-106 victory. He scored a game-high 36 points. The two teams combined for 220 points, which was just over the projected point total of 219.5, and Toronto covered as a 4-point underdog. The Raptors’ 30.4 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over the Trail Blazers, who had a mark of 23.4.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Trail Blazers games, with 18 overs compared to 18 unders. Portland holds records of 15-22 straight up (SU) and 14-21-2 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas is exceedingly precise when predicting totals of Raptors games, with an even split between overs and unders. Moreover, Toronto is 24-12 SU and 20-16 ATS.
The Trail Blazers’ Hassan Whiteside has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 17 points,15.4 rebounds,3.2 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Serge Ibaka has averaged 17 points,10.4 rebounds during that same time frame for the Raptors.
Toronto could have their way on defense as they go head-to-head against one of the worst offenses in the league. The Raptors rank second in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.494), while Portland is 21st in effective field goal percentage (0.519).
Portland Trail Blazers at Toronto Raptors Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Raptors rank 19th in points in the paint per game (46.5) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (43.6).
- Toronto ranks second in points off turnovers per game (19.7) while Portland ranks 29th (14.0).
- The Raptors rank 11th in assists per game (24.8) while the Trail Blazers rank last (19.6).
- Portland ranks third in blocks per game (6.4) while Toronto ranks 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
- 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 sixth in steals per game (8.3) while the Trail Blazers rank 28th (5.9).
- The Trail Blazers average 33.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 14th in the league. The Raptors rank 29th in three pointers allowed per game (38.4).
- Toronto ranks 20th in second chance points per game (12.6) while Portland ranks 28th in second chance points allowed per game (15.7).
- Toronto averages 46.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Portland ranks 29th in rebounds allowed per game (47.7).
- In games where they allow under 100 points, Toronto is 11-3 and Portland is 3-0.
- The Trail Blazers are 15-16 when they score more than 100 points, while the Raptors are 22-8.
- Portland is 8-11-1 ATS on the road, while Toronto is 11-8 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 12 of the Raptors’ 19 home games, while 11 of the Trail Blazers’ 20 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Raptors are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Trail Blazers are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Toronto has 4 unders and 1 over, while Portland has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.2, up from 5.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 112.4 points per game (0.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 118.4 points per game (4.4 above their season average).