The Toronto Raptors invade the Mortgage Matchup Center to take on the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. Here’s a Suns vs. Raptors Prediction. This article will include a Suns vs. Raptors Pick.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Toronto Raptors were starting to heat up with three nice wins on the trot before they got stopped in their tracks by the Nuggets in a 121-115 road defeat on Friday. Jakob Poeltl led the team with 23 points and 11 rebounds on 10 of 14 shooting, Brandon Ingram added 19 points on seven of 12 shooting, and RJ Barrett chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Raptors shot 51 percent from the field and 10 of 31 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 41 points in the third quarter to take an 11-point lead, but they really let themselves down in the fourth quarter, where they got outscored by 36-21 to fall short in the end. Jamal Shead finished with just four points on two of seven shooting off the bench, while Sandro Mamukelashvili scored just four points.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have cooled off recently, as they are now on a five-game losing streak after falling short to the Bucks in a 108-105 loss last night. Ryan Rollins led the team with 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists on 10 of 19 shooting. Kyle Kuzma added 20 points, while Gary Trent Jr. chipped in with 11 points off the bench. As a team, the Suns shot 50 percent from the field and 16 of 39 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sloppy start and leaked 42 points in the second quarter to fall behind by 13 points. The Suns clawed back to take the lead in the second half but just couldn’t make their shots in the fourth quarter to let the Bucks off the hook in the end.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The home team has won each of the last seven games between the Raptors and Suns.
- The Raptors have lost each of their last four games as favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Suns’ last five games at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The Suns have lost 27 of their last 28 games at home as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Raptors have won each of their last eight games as favorites against the Suns.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in 14 of their last 15 games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in each of their last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Raptors’ last six road games against Western Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Suns’ last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
Phoenix Suns Player Facts
- Devin Booker ranks 9th amongst qualified players for points per 36 minutes (27.4) this season.
- Collin Gillespie ranks 11th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (3.8) this season.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Scottie Barnes is the only player in the league to have recorded 25+ rebounds in a game this season.
- Immanuel Quickley ranks 7th amongst qualified players for assist-to-turnover ratio (4.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Suns rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (34.5%).
- The Suns have suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q3 this season—led by 18 points vs. the Hawks on November 16.
- The Raptors rank 30th in the league for Q4 points per game this season (25.9).
- The Raptors rank 1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (60.9%).
Suns vs Raptors Prediction
The Raptors are still missing AJ Lawson and they are keeping an eye on Collin Murray-Boyles, who is questionable with a thumb injury, while the Suns have ruled out Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, Amir Coffey, Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams. These teams met just over a week ago and it was the Raptors who won by 122-115 on Mar 13. The Raptors have played some solid basketball since that meeting and I think they will like their chances against the Suns, who are playing their second game of a back-to-back set. You can make an argument for either side here, but I am leaning towards the Raptors to bounce back with a narrow win and cover in this one.