The Toronto Raptors and the Washington Wizards duke it out at the Capital One Arena on Saturday night. Here’s a Wizards vs. Raptors prediction. This article will include a Wizards vs. Raptors pick.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Toronto Raptors have been in decent form, as they’ve won five of their last nine games overall, but they will be eager to snap a two-game skid after coming up just short to the red-hot Spurs in a 110-107 loss on Wednesday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. Immanuel Quickley added 20 points with four rebounds, while Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl each scored 15 points. As a team, the Raptors shot just 42 percent from the field and eight of 23 from the 3-point line as they poured in 31 points in the third quarter to take a 15-point lead, only to get run down in the fourth quarter, where they got outscored by 32-17.
Washington Wizards Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards have been in poor form, as they’ve lost six of their last eight games overall and they will be looking to arrest a three-game slide after getting thrashed by the Hawks in a 126-96 road defeat on Thursday. Will Riley, Tre Johnson, Justin Champagnie, and Jaden Hardy each scored 14 points, while Tristan Vukcevic chipped in with 11 points. As a team, the Wizards shot just 38 percent from the field and nine of 33 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace from the very start and were never a threat after falling behind by 20 points going into halftime.
Why the Washington Wizards will win
- The Wizards have won three of their last four games as home underdogs following a loss.
- The Raptors have lost eight of their last 11 games as road favorites following a home loss.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of the Wizards’ last six games.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as road favorites against Southeast Division opponents.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The Wizards have lost 27 of their last 28 games against Atlantic Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Raptors have won each of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Wizards have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in eight of their last nine road games against Southeast Division opponents following a loss.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Raptors’ last five games against the Wizards following a home loss has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Wizards’ last five home games following a road loss has gone UNDER the total points line.
Washington Wizards Player Facts
- Bub Carrington ranks 41st amongst qualified players for assists per game (4.6) 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.
- Jamal Shead ranks 8th amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (8.6) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Wizards rank 30th in the league for point differential per game this season (-10.9).
- The Wizards rank 30th in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (48.1).
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast-break points (1108) this season.
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points per game (18.8) this season.
Wizards vs Raptors Prediction
The Raptors are still missing Collin Murray-Boyles, while the Wizards have ruled out Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, Trae Young, and Cam Whitmore, with Kyshawn George and Tristan Vukcevic both questionable. The Raptors have opened as massive road favorites, which isn’t surprising given how depleted the Wizards have been lately. Earlier in the season, I might be looking at the Wizards to get a backdoor cover, but they are just so thin in terms of depth at the moment, so I will stick with the Raptors to take advantage with a big win and cover here.