Toronto Raptors vs Phoenix Suns 01/06/2021 NBA Odds, Preview and Prediction

The Toronto Raptors travel to the valley of the Suns on Wednesday night to take on the Phoenix Suns at the Phoenix Arena.

Toronto heads to this game with a two-game losing streak and four losses in their last five games. In their last assignment, the Raptors dropped a 126-114 game against the Boston Celtics. Phoenix saw its four-game winning streak halted by the Clippers in their last game. Despite the loss, the Suns are at 5-2 on the season and among the NBA’s early season leaders. The Raptors defeated the Suns 123-114 last March 2, 2020, in their last meeting in Phoenix.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors aren’t having the kind of start that was expected of them. After finishing with a 53-19 record last season, the Raptors are off to a 1-5 start. Toronto lost their first two games of the season, beat the Knicks at home, then dropped two in a row again. The Raptors are the worst shooting team in the league at this point of the season and they are the 5th lowest-scoring team in the NBA this season.

Fred VanVleet leads the Raptors in scoring at 21.8 points per game. The 26-year old is also averaging 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game this season. Kyle Lowry leads the team in assists at 7.7 dimes per contest while also scoring 18.7 points per game. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam has struggled to start the year at just 17.6 points on 40.7% field goal shooting. Chris Boucher and OG Anunoby are contributing 12.7 and 11.7 points per game, respectively.

The Raptors are scoring just 106.0 points per game this season, 26th in the league. They are also just 23rd in rebounding at 42.8 boards grabbed per contest. Toronto is 19th in passing at 23.5 assists per game and they are 13th in scoring defense at 110.2 points per game allowed.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are off to a good start to their 2020-21 NBA campaign. Phoenix is 5-2 on the season and they are ranked second in the Pacific Division, right behind the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns head to this home game coming off a loss to the Clippers but prior to that defeat, they won four straight games.

Devin Booker continues to wax hot for Phoenix as he is averaging 21.1 points per game on a 49.5% shooting clip. Mikal Bridges is having a fine start at 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this year. DeAndre Ayton is putting up a double-double season at 13.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game this year. Meanwhile, Chris Paul has been terrific for the Suns at 13.4 points and a team-high 8.3 assists per game. Cameron Johnson is also scoring in twin digits at 12.7 points per outing while Dario Saric and Jae Crowder are averaging 10.0 points per game apiece.

Phoenix is the NBA’s top defensive team at only 100.6 points per game allowed. The Suns are just 21st in scoring at 107.9 points per game while they are also just 25th in rebounding at 41.9 boards grabbed per contest. With CP3 at the helm, the Suns are the 10th best passing team in the league at 25.3 assists per outing.

Who Wins?

Toronto is 1-6 SU in their last seven games played. The Raptors are 13-3 SU in their last 16 games played on the road, and 12-4 SU in their last 16 games played against the Western Conference. Phoenix is 13-2 SU in their last 15 games played. The Suns are 2-1 SU in three home games played this season, 5-0 SU in their last five games against the Eastern Conference. Head to head, the Raptors are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played against the Suns.

Pascal Siakam is averaging just 17.6 points per game at 40.7% field goal shooting. However, he is coming off his best game of the season where he scored 22 points and grabbed 6 rebounds but in another losing effort against the Celtics.

The Suns are coming off a loss to the L.A. Clippers but even in a game where Paul George erupted for 39 points, Phoenix lost by just five points. The Clippers opened with a 20 point half time lead but the Suns showed grit and were able to cut the lead to one at 90-89 before eventually losing the game. Chris Paul’s 8.3 assists per game have led to six other players averaging in double-digit scoring this season.

Phoenix is one of the top teams in the Western Conference after the first two weeks of the season. They are 2-1 at home this season and are shooting 37.6% from deep at their building. Meanwhile, the Raptors have yet to find their form this season. Toronto’s offense has sputtered to start the year and unless they fix their shooting woes, the Suns are going to shine over the Raptors.

Prediction: Phoenix Suns

Other Bets To Make

The Raptors 1-6 ATS in their last seven games played. Toronto is 0-3 ATS in three road games played this season. The Suns are 13-2 ATS in their last 15 games played, 8-1 ATS in their last nine games played at home. Head to head, the Suns are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Raptors. Phoenix is also 6-1 ATS in their last seven home games against Toronto.

The Raptors are having issues to start the season and they are winless in three road games so far. Toronto has not played well against the spread. They are 0-6 ATS in their last six games after allowing 100 or more points in their previous game, and 0-6 ATS in their last six games after scoring 100 or more points in their previous game. The Suns meanwhile are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as betting favorites and 4-0 ATS in their last four games as home betting favorites. Phoenix is having a great start and they will be looking to bounce back from their loss to the Clippers. I’ll eat the modest chalk here.

Prediction: Suns -3.5

The total has gone under in nine out of the last 13 games played by the Raptors. The over is 2-1 in their three road games this season, 4-1 in their last five January games. The total has gone under in seven out of the last eight games played by the Suns. Phoenix has seen the total go under in two of their three home games played this season and the under is also 5-2 in their last seven January games. Head to head, the total has gone under in three out of the last four meetings between these two teams.

Toronto’s offense has struggled to start the year. Although they have three games with 114+ points, they also have three games where they scored 100 or fewer points. On the other hand, the Suns have allowed more than 106 points only once this season. Phoenix has been focused on defense this season and they currently have the best scoring defense in the league. Given those, I think this will be a low-scoring game with Phoenix’s defense setting the tone.

Prediction: Under 217.5

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