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The Toronto Raptors will head to Texas to take on the San Antonio Spurs in this highly anticipated game on Thursday, January 3rd.
The game will be Kawhi Leonard’s first game back after being traded to the Toronto Raptors last summer. As it was a trade, this game will also be the first ever for DeMar DeRozan against the Raptors.
Kawhi’s Return To San Antonio
The Toronto Raptors are off to a fast start this season. The Raptors are 28-11 and owners of the second best record in the league, just behind fellow Eastern Conference team Milwaukee who is currently at 26-10. This game will mark the first time Kawhi Leonard plays in San Antonio in a different uniform. Leonard was traded from the Spurs last summer after seeking his release.
Toronto has the 9th best scoring average in the league at 113.1 points per game while also owning the 8th best defense at 107.5 points per contest. The Raptors average 23.8 assists per game which is ranked 18th in the NBA. They are also the 13th best rebounding team at 45.4 boards per contest.
Toronto Raptors vs San Antonio Spurs 1/3/19
Moneyline Odds: Raptors +103, Spurs -123
Odds from gtbets.eu as of 1/3/19
Right Where They Want To Be
Given that they lost Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker during the offseason, the San Antonio Spurs are right where they want to be. The Spurs are at 21-17 and while that is only good for 8th place in the current team standings, San Antonio is just 4.5 games behind the Western Conference leaders Denver Nuggets who are at 24-11 as of Wednesday.
The Spurs rank 14th in the NBA in scoring at 111.5 points per game. They are also 12th in passing at 24.7 assists per game. San Antonio is ranked 19th in rebounding at 44.6 boards per contest while they have the 12th best scoring defense at 109.2 points per game allowed.
Who Wins?
The Raptors are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games and Toronto is 13-7 SU on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Spurs are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played and San Antonio is an impeccable 15-5 SU at home this season. Head to head, the Spurs are 7-3 SU in their last 10 meetings. San Antonio is also 9-1 SU in their last 10 home games against the Raptors.
Toronto has lost its luster because of the injuries that are bugging the team right now. The Raptors have shot just 40.9% from the floor and have been outscored by an average of eight points in their last five games played. The home team has won eight out of the last nine games between these two teams.
Kawhi Leonard warmed up with a career high 45 points against the Jazz in their most recent outing but the Spurs play well on the defensive end too. Without Lowry’s scoring and ability to create points for his teammates, Toronto could find itself in trouble on the road in Texas.
We’re picking the San Antonio Spurs to beat the Toronto Raptors on 1/3/19.
Other Bets To Make
The Raptors are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games played and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games played.The Spurs are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played and 9-1 ATS in their last 10 home games. Head to head, the Spurs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings overall and San Antonio is 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10 home games against the Raptors.
Toronto Raptors vs San Antonio Spurs 1/3/19
Spread Odds: Raptors +1.5 (-109), Spurs -1.5 (-109)
Odds from getbets.eu as of 1/3/19
Toronto is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games playing on one-day rest. The Raptors are also 0-5 ATS in their last five road games and 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall. Meanwhile, the Spurs have been solid at home, going 24-8 ATS in their last 32 home games. San Antonio is also 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall. Likewise, Toronto has struggled in their head to head match-up, going 1-5 ATS in their last six games in San Antonio and 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings overall. For a team playing without Kyle Lowry, a +2 isn’t enough to cover.
Prediction: Spurs -1.5
The total has gone over in 22 out of the 39 games played by the Raptors this season. Toronto has seen the total over in four out of their last six road games played. On the other hand, the over is 21-16-1 in San Antonio’s 38 games played this season. The under is 6-2 in the Spurs’ last eight home games played and 6-4 in their last 10 games overall. Head to head, the over is 6-4 in their last 10 meetings and 3-2 in their last five games in San Antonio.
Toronto Raptors vs San Antonio Spurs 1/3/19
Over/Under Odds: Over 216.5 -109, Under 216.5 -109
Odds from gtbets.eu as of 1/3/19
Toronto’s offense without Lowry and Valanciunas as been inconsistent as they’ve been held down to below .500 in two of their last four games played. However, the Spurs have averaged 121.2 points per game in their last five wins and 116.13 points per game in their last 8 games overall. The over has been the play in this matchup and with the total set at 216.5, I think the Spurs can carry the Raptors in this contest.
Prediction: Over 216.5
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