Toronto Raptors vs Utah Jazz 03/09/20 NBA Betting Odds and Prediction

The Toronto Raptors travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

The Raptors clinched a playoff spot on Saturday after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Oakland. Toronto played its fourth straight road game on Sunday against the Kings and that game was still in progress as of this writing. They travel again to the Vivint Smart Home Arena for a back to back schedule against the streaking Utah Jazz. The Jazz have won five straight games after a four-game losing streak. Utah defeated Detroit last Saturday to keep the 4th spot in the Western Conference. They will look to extend their lead over the Rockets with a win over the visiting Raptors.

Raptors Clinch Playoff Spot

The Toronto Raptors picked up their second straight win with a 121-113 conquest of the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. The victory clinched a playoff spot for the defending NBA champions who spoiled the return of two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry who scored 23 points for the Warriors. Toronto still has a game against the Sacramento Kings as of this writing.

Norman Powell led the Raptors with a career-high 37 points. Kyle Lowry added 26 points and 10 assists while Serge Ibaka contributed a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Pascal Siakam also scored 17 points for the Raptors who beat the Warriors in a rematch of the 2019 NBA Finals.

The Raptors are ranked 11th in the league in scoring at 113.1 points per game. They are tied for 13th in rebounding at 45.2 boards grabbed per contest and are 12th in passing at 25.4 assists per game. Toronto is the top-rated defensive team in the NBA at only 106.7 points per game allowed this season.

Jazz Win Fifth Straight Game

The Utah Jazz held on and withstood a pair of rallies to defeat the stubborn Detroit Pistons 111-105 on Saturday night in Motor City. The win was the fifth straight for the Jazz after the team suffered four consecutive losses. With the victory, the Jazz moved to 1.5 games ahead of the Houston Rockets in the race for the 4th spot in the Western Conference.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 32 points to lead Utah’s scoring attack. Rudy Gobert had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Stifle Tower sealed the victory by making two free throws with 18.5 seconds left in the game. Donovan Mitchell added 25 points and five rebounds while Jordan Clarkson scored 14 points off the bench.

Utah ranks 16th in the league in scoring at 111.3 points per game this season. They are 12th overall off the glass with an average of 45.3 rebounds per game and they are 5th from the bottom in passing at 22.1 points per game this season. The Jazz have the 9th best scoring defense at 108.0 points per game allowed.

Who Wins?

The Raptors are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played. Toronto is 2-2 SU in their last four games played on the road, and 8-3 SU in their last 11 road games against the Eastern Conference. The Jazz are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played. Utah is 2-4 SU in their last six games played at home, and 10-1 SU in their last 11 home games against the Eastern Conference. Head to head, the Raptors are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played against the Jazz.

Toronto has proved that it is a championship-caliber team. Despite 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard leaving for L.A., the Raptors are still a force in the East. They have dealt with injuries to key players but have still managed to stay afloat. Serge Ibaka has returned for Toronto but Fred VanVleet remains out with a shoulder injury.

Utah has picked up five straight wins after a four-game losing streak. Utah’s current run has seen them overtake the slumping Houston Rockets for the 4th seed in the West. Getting home-court advantage in round one is important in a tough conference like the West and Utah knows that very well. The Jazz are a solid 21-9 SU at home this season.

Toronto will be flying in from Sacramento as they have a game with the Kings on Sunday and regardless of the outcome of that game ( which is still being played as of this writing), the Raptors should be at a disadvantage playing back to back games on the road against the Jazz. VanVleet is still not expected to play so that is another blow for the Raptors. I like the home team to pick up the win here.

Prediction: Utah Jazz

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Other Bets to Make

Toronto is 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games played. The Raptors are 1-3 ATS in their last four games played at home, and 7-4 ATS in their last 11 road games against the Western Conference. Utah is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games played. The Jazz are 1-5 ATS in their last six games played at home, and 7-4 ATS in their last 11 games against the Eastern Conference. Head to head, the Raptors are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Jazz.

I like Toronto and what they have accomplished this season despite losing Kawhi Leonard. This team has kept its position in the team standings despite multiple injuries to starters. Norman Powell is having a terrific season for the Raptors but they will be without one of their top scorers and playmakers in Fred VanVleet. Utah is healthy and when Bojan is hitting his shots, the Jazz are tough to beat. Give me the home team here.

Prediction: Jazz -3.5

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The over is 33-28-1 in Toronto’s 62 games played this season. The total has gone over in 16 out of the last 30 games played by the Raptors on the road. The total has gone over in 33 out of the 63 games played by the Jazz this season. Utah has seen the total go over in 16 out of their 30 home games played this season. Head to head, the total has gone over in seven out of the last 10 games between these two teams.

Toronto has the best scoring defense in the league this season but they have allowed at least 113 points in their last three games played. The Jazz are just in the middle of the pack in scoring this season but they have scored an average of 115.4 points per game during their current five-game winning streak. The stats say under but with the way these teams are playing as of late, this should be a high-scoring affair.

Prediction: Over 225

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