The San Antonio Spurs (30-16), the NBA’s top scoring defense, will challenge the Toronto Raptors (30-13) at Air Canada Centre. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 208 points with Toronto opening as a 5-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 19, 2018, and it can be seen on The Sports Network.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Toronto Raptors ATS Preview
The Spurs beat the Brooklyn Nets in their last matchup, 100-95. LaMarcus Aldridge was the games high scorer with 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting. San Antonio dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.280 (above their season average of 0.188) and a turnover percentage of 8.6 (better than their season average of 12.7). For those same stats, Brooklyn was 0.145 and 13.3, respectively.
In the Raptors last matchup, they defeated the Detroit Pistons, 96-91. Toronto’s Jonas Valanciunas had a solid performance, contributing 17 points and 16 rebounds. Toronto dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.212 (above their season average of 0.212) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.9 (above their season average of 23.2). For those same stats, Detroit had marks of 0.080 and 22.9, respectively.
This showdown pits one of the leagues top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Toronto ranks fourth in offensive efficiency and San Antonio is second in defensive efficiency.
Of San Antonio’s 46 games, 27 have finished under the O/U total, while 23 of Toronto’s 43 games have finished over the O/U total. Both teams have respectable straight up (SU) records (30-16 for San Antonio; 30-13 for Toronto), but the Raptors have the advantage against the spread (ATS). Toronto is 24-19 ATS, while the Spurs are 23-19-4.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined for 198 points in that game, which was just under the projected point total of 201. The Spurs won 101-97, covering as 3-point favorites. San Antonio won the rebounding battle. The Spurs had more offensive rebounds (18 vs. five), defensive rebounds (37 vs. 29) and total rebounds (55 vs. 34). DeMar DeRozan was the games top overall scorer with 28 points.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Toronto Raptors Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Spurs rank first in blocks allowed per game (3.5) while the Raptors rank 17th (5.1).
- Toronto ranks sixth in fast break points per game (13.8) while San Antonio ranks 12th in fast break points allowed per game (10.9).
- Toronto averages 8.3 steals per game, which ranks eighth in the league. San Antonio ranks 17th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
- San Antonio is 8-14-3 ATS on the road, while Toronto is 11-8 ATS at home.
- Of the Spurs 25 road games, they have 17 unders, 7 overs and 1 push.
- Of the Raptors 19 home games, they have 10 overs and 9 unders.
- When allowing under 100 points, Toronto is 13-4 and San Antonio is 20-7.
- The Spurs are 23-3 when they score more than 100 points, while the Raptors are 28-7.
- The Spurs rank 14th in second chance points per game (12.5) while the Raptors rank 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (13.4).
- Toronto ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (31.9) while San Antonio ranks 27th (24.3).
- The Raptors rank fifth in points in the paint per game (48.7) while the Spurs rank 25th (41.4).
- Toronto ranks first in points off turnovers per game (19.1) while San Antonio ranks 18th (16.2).
Betting Trends:
- Toronto is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, San Antonio is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Raptors average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.0, down from 7.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 99.8 points per game (1.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 94.0 points per game (3.9 below their season average).
