Blazers vs. Raptors Analysis & Spread Pick

Portland Trail Blazers (19-19 SU, 22-16-0 ATS) vs. Toronto Raptors (16-23 SU, 18-21-0 ATS)
When: Sunday, January 8th, 3:30 PM (ET)
Where: Scotiabank Arena, ON, Toronto
TV: TSN

Point Spread: POR +3/ TOR -3
Total: 226.0
Money Line: Portland Trail Blazers +125/ -151

Notable Injuries

Trail Blazers

• Jusuf Nurkic (Probable) Illness
• Justise Winslow (Out) Ankle
• Gary Payton II (Probable) Ankle
• Nassir Little (Out) Hip
• Ibou Badji (Out) Not With Team

Raptors

• Otto Porter Jr. (Out) Foot

Recent Form

Heading into the game, Portland is 19-19 overall. When taking to the road, Portland has a mark of 10-13 and a win percentage of 43%. Currently, the team is 9th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 22-16-0 vs. the spread. Portland travels to take on the Raptors, hoping to avoid their 3rd straight loss.

In their most recent game, Portland was unable to come away with a victory against the Pacers, losing by a score of 108-99. Despite Anfernee Simons leading the team with 20 points, the Trail Blazers were unable to overcome their status as 1-point underdogs. The Trail Blazers also ended up with an ATS loss in the game.

Heading into the game, Toronto is 16-23 overall. When playing at home, Toronto has a mark of 11-10 and a win percentage of 52%. Currently, the team is 12th in the Eastern Conference. So far, they are 18-21-0 vs. the spread. The Raptors need a win in today’s matchup vs. Portland to avoid their 4th straight loss.

In their most recent matchup, the Knicks defeated Toronto with a score of 112-108. Fred VanVleet scored the most points for the team with 28, but it was not enough to earn the win. The Raptors were 3 points ahead going into the game.

The Historicals

In last year’s two head-to-head meetings, the Trail Blazers came out on top in both games. Portland won by scores of 118-113 and 118-114. In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Trail Blazers averaged 116.0 points per game vs. Toronto, which was an increase over their season-long average. While the Trail Blazers saw a boost in scoring, the Raptors averaged 109.0 points per contest in head-to-head meeting with Portland. This figure was similar to the season-long average. The ATS record across the previous five head-to-head meetings is 4-1 in favor of the Trail Blazers. In these matchups, Portland has averaged 113 points per game while allowing 109. Over the course of these games, they averaged 222 points per game, leading a 3-2 over-under record.

Analysis

This season, the Trail Blazers’ offense averages 112.4 points per game, which is 20th in the NBA. In terms of pace, Portland has been playing at one of the slower tempo’s in the league, averaging just 97.6 possessions per game. Portland’s 3-point shooting numbers are below the league average, as they have hit just 37.9% of their looks from deep. On average, the team gets up 33.4 3-point shots per game, placing them 16th in the NBA. Defense has been a struggle for Portland, as they are currently allowing 115.11 points per game. The team’s 3-point shooting defense has been a problem this year. So far, opposing offenses have hit 36.95% of their looks from the outside.

Anfernee Simons is the top scorer for Portland, averaging 22.4 points per game. This season, his field goal percentage is 44.0%. The team’s second leading scorer is Jerami Grant, with an average of 22.3 points per game.

This season, Toronto is averaging just 111.0 points per game, which places them 26th in the league. A major reason for these low numbers is the fact that they play at one of the slower paces in the NBA at just 97.4 possessions per game. Toronto’s 3-point shooting numbers are below the league average, as they have hit just 32.4% of their looks from deep. On average, the team gets up 32.4 3-point shots per game, placing them 19th in the NBA. Defensively, the Raptors have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 107.1 points per game. So far, they have allowed a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.34%, placing them 17th in the NBA.

Pascal Siakam is the top scorer for Toronto, averaging 25.7 points per game. This season, his field goal percentage is 47.2%. The team’s second-leading scorer is OG Anunoby, with an average of 18.3 points per game.

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Betting Trends

• The Trail Blazers are 0-6 ATS in their last six games playing on one day’s rest.
• The Trail Blazers are 0-6 ATS in their last six road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• The Raptors are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• The Raptors are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Blazers have owned the Raptors, beating them five games in a row, with three of those games being played in Toronto. We’re betting on the Portland Trail Blazers at +3.5!