Free NBA Pick: Suns vs. Raptors NBA Odds
Looking for Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Suns taking on the Raptors on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 at Scotiabank Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Suns Raptors matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(30-9) Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors (20-17)
Date: Tuesday, January 11th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Bankers Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
NBA Moneyline Odds: Suns | Raptors (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Suns -3
NBA Betting Total: 225
Tuesday, January 11th the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors meet for the first time this season. They’ll play the second match in Phoenix on March 11th. The Suns last played Saturday in a losing 100-123 effort versus the Heat while the Raptors beat the Pelicans 104-100 extending their win streak to six games.
Phoenix Suns
While the Suns have yet to reach double-digit losses as they approach the halfway mark of the season almost half (four) of their nine losses occurred in the last eight games. Protocols contributed as well as facing elite opponents (Warriors, Grizzlies, Heat).
Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, and JaVale McGee were back in the rotation Saturday but exposed some issues within the Suns’ schemes. Specifically, teams who are strong defensively and have versatile offenses put more pressure on the Suns.
The Heat is the perfect example of that dynamic as they have copious 3-point snipers and athletic wings plus are a robust defensive squad. Devin Booker scored 26 but on an inefficient 5 of 15. Mikal Bridges (20), Cam Johnson (15), and Ayton (12) were the other double-figure contributors.
Miami feasted from the perimeter hitting 22 of 44 long balls, won the glass 49 to 35, and paint scoring 38 to 28. The only areas the Suns had the edge were at the line (29 to 15) and fast break scoring (17 to 11).
Suns affected by protocols include Landry Shamet (probable), Abdel Nader (questionable), and Ish Wainwright (out). Cam Johnson tweaked his ankle late Saturday and was a late addition to the injury report as out Tuesday, Frank Kaminsky (knee), and Dario Saric (knee) are out indefinitely.
Toronto Raptors
The trio of Siakam, VanVleet, and OG Anunoby is looking sharp with each delivering during the win streak and it’s notable that as the schedule nears the halfway point the trio has only played together on nine occasions which is one of the main reasons for the uptick in Raptors wins.
The other key is with a healthy roster Nick Nurse has the ability to use his wildly creative lineups including a combo starter/reserve unit using Siakam and Barnes as the point guards with OG Anunoby plus centers Precious Achuiwa and Chris Boucher.
That lineup is 6’8″ or taller and is causing major matchup problems for opponents (not to mention giving the league an opportunity to witness a truly positionless unit).
Ultimately, I’d bank on the Raptors having a better shot at a verified playoff seed than being mired in the group vying for a tournament seed. They begin the week a half-game back of sixth, 1.5 back of fifth, and three games out of third or fourth.
Rookie Scottie Barnes hasn’t looked right since returning from protocols but it turns out its knee tendinopathy causing his setback. He hasn’t had the same energy or burst. Barnes, and Gary Trent Jr. (ankle) are questionable while Yuta Watanabe (quarantine) is probable for Tuesday
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Raptors are 6-4 in the last 10 head to head
- The Suns are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
- Over Under is 4-6 in the teams last 10 head to head matchups
Free Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
During the win streak, VanVleet is averaging 31.2 points, 6.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and shooting 44.3% from deep on 13.2 attempts per game while Siakam is averaging 23.7 points, 11 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and shooting 52.6% from deep on 3.2 attempts.
Siakam excels when having more responsibility so running the point for that positionless reserve lineup benefits him. His chemistry with Barnes is constantly improving given they’ve only played 23 games together because of Siakam’s late-season start.
This matchup is intriguing on several fronts. Toronto is first in fast break scoring (16.5 points) and second-ranked for points scored off turnovers (19.5) as well as second-chance points (16.8) while Phoenix is the second-rated defense.
In particular, how Phoenix deals with that uber large Raptors combo starter/reserve unit will be intriguing. Expect Phoenix to bring the energy from the tip after several flat starts and that’s an issue for Toronto who also has a tendency to start slow.
I’m grappled with sticking with the hot hand and did take Toronto to keep it close but inevitably overrode my bias for Toronto and picked the Suns (albeit I won’t be surprised if the Raptors continue the streak).
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors +3.5
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