After being considered a near-lock for the playoffs, the Raptors find themselves on the outside looking into the Eastern Conference play-in game. Given their spot in the standings, Toronto has been a hot topic on the NBA rumor mill with the trade deadline looming. That being said, the Raptors crushed the Spurs earlier this season and thus have a good chance to cover again tonight. Toronto still has a strong statistical profile as their +0. 6 scoring margin puts them in the middle of the pack. They excel at forcing turnovers and running on the fast break. The Raptors average 17.
That being said, the Spurs are frisky enough on offense to keep things close tonight and cover a hefty road spread. San Antonio is an average offensive team but they excel at making the extra pass and finishing at the rim. The Spurs average 27. 2 APG – third in the NBA. Most of those assists come at the rim as the Spurs rank third in the league in points in the paint with 56. 3 PPG. Additionally, the Spurs are a dangerous team on the offensive glass as they hold the seventh-highest offensive rebound rate. San Antonio’s already-barren roster has been decimated by injuries thus far. With Jeremy Sochan doubtful and both Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones questionable, the Spurs will be looking up and down their roster for offensive production. In recent games, that production has come from first-round pick Malaki Branham.
NBA Odds: Spurs Vs. Raptors Prediction, Pick, How To Watch - 2/8/2023The San Antonio Spurs (14-40) visit the Toronto Raptors (25-30) on Wednesday night! Action tips off at 7:40 p. m. ET. Below we continue our NBA odds series with a Spurs-Raptors prediction, pick, and how to watch. San Antonio has lost nine in a row and sits in 14th place in the Western Conference. The Spurs covered 43% of their games while 60% went over the projected point total. Toronto has won two straight but still sits in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
A 6’4″ guard from Ohio State, Branham has really stepped up in as of late. After not eclipsing 30 minutes in any game this season, he’s done so in each of his last three games. He’s looked like a breakout star in those appearances, averaging 21 PPG and 4. 0 APG while shooting 55% overall. Perhaps his most important contributions have come from beyond the arc as Branham has averaged 2. 7 threes per game at a 44% clip.