The Portland Trail Blazers and Toronto Raptors meet Monday in NBA action at the the Scotiabank Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview 

The Portland Trail Blazers are still looking for their first win of the season. The Trail Blazers haven’t started 0-4 in over 2 decades. The Portland Trail Blazers are averaging 102 points on 41.8 percent shooting and allowing 117 points on 49 percent shooting. Shaedon Sharpe is averaging 19.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Malcolm Brogdon is averaging 18.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. Anfernee Simons is the third double-digit scorer and Jerami Grant is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Portland Trail Blazers are shooting 27.4 percent from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent from the free throw line. The Portland Trail Blazers are allowing 40 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43 rebounds per game.

Toronto Raptors Betting Preview 

The Toronto Raptors need a win to get back to a .500 record. The Toronto Raptors have won 5 of their last 6 home games. The Toronto Raptors are averaging 102.3 points on 43.3 percent shooting and allowing 104 points on 40 percent shooting. Scottie Barnes is averaging 21 points and 8.7 rebounds, while Dennis Schroder is averaging 15.7 points and 3 rebounds. O.G. Anunoby is the third double-digit scorer and Pascal Siakam is grabbing 7.3 rebounds. The Toronto Raptors are shooting 8.8 percent from beyond the arc and 68.3 percent from the free throw line. The Toronto Raptors are allowing 26.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 47 rebounds per game.

Randy’s Pick

This is a lot of chalk to lay with the Toronto Raptors, but what alternative is there? The Portland Trail Blazers have been dreadful through 3 games, especially on the offensive end, and I doubt things change on the road and on the end of a back to back. The Trail Blazers are averaging 97.5 points in their last two games. The season is still young, but the Trail Blazers are making an early case as the worst team in the league. If the Raptors are going to push for a playoff spot this season, these are games they need. I’ll lay the chalk with the dinosaurs.