Free NBA Pick: Spurs vs. Raptors NBA Odds
Looking for San Antonio Spurs vs. Toronto Raptors free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Spurs taking on the Raptors on Tuesday, January 4th, 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 Spurs Raptors matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(14-21) San Antonio Spurs vs. Toronto Raptors (16-17)
Date: Tuesday, January 4th
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Bankers Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
NBA Moneyline Odds: Spurs +190 | Raptors -222 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors -5.5
NBA Betting Total: OFF
Tuesday, January 4th the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors meet for the first time this season. They’ll play in San Antonio on March 9th to wrap up the season series.
San Antonio last played on Saturday in a heartbreaking one-point overtime loss to the Pistons while the Raptors played Sunday easily beating the undermanned Knicks 120-105.
All-time the Spurs have the advantage of winning 35 of 50 matches although the teams split their matches last season each winning on the opposing court.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs battled the Pistons into overtime and came up just short. All five starters scored in double figures while Bryn Forbes was the top point-getter with 27 points in a reserve role.
Jakob Poeltl registered a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds with five assists. Devin Vassell (19), Derrick White (18), Tre Jones (15), and Keldon Johnson (12) were the other double-figure contributors.
Typical of Gregg Popovich rosters the team plays with balanced scoring as seven players average between 10.8 and 17.8 points per game. It makes for difficulty guarding them as there isn’t a primary or secondary scoring option – they look for the best shot or hot hand.
UPDATED: The four Spurs in protocols – – Dejounte Murray, Doug McDermott, Lonnie Walker, and Devontae Cacok were all downgraded to OUT on Tuesday. Keita Bates-Diop (hamstring) is questionable.
Zach Collins continues to rehab from offseason ankle surgery with no definitive return date.
Toronto Raptors
For the first time in the 2021-22 season, Nick Nurse had his top eight players available. That it came without any fans to witness or cheer them on was par for the course for what the Raptors have suffered the past two seasons.
Granted Toronto was playing an undermanned Knicks squad but there were palpable signs this team has much more left to offer this season now that they are healthy.
Nurse went with the lineup many were eager to witness which features Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. in the backcourt and a frontcourt with Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby.
Theoretically, it’s a small ball lineup but Nurse has bigs he can insert depending on the matchup (Khem Birch, Precious Achiuwa, Chris Boucher).
Still, the length, athleticism, and defensive switchability of that frontcourt are more than a little intriguing and there were signs of how it will pay dividends on Sunday. Toronto held New York to a single point through six minutes of the second quarter.
Each of VanVleet, Siakam, and Barnes can run the point (the latter did so in stretches with the bench unit) which again will confound opponents since any of the three can create shots for themselves or their teammates.
That the group is still shaking off the rust from their stay in protocols speaks to the potential of this group although the defense seems locked in already.
DJ Wilson (COVID) is downgraded to out. David Johnson (calf) is out as is Goran Dragic (personal).
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Spurs are 12-6 ATS in their last 18 games.
- The Raptors are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 9 of San Antonio’s last 13 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto’s last 7 games.
Free San Antonio Spurs vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
Both squads are reestablishing their systems with Pops crew more of a team approach but a traditional point guard and center whereas Nurse’s group aside from VanVleet is virtually positionless.
Any of the Raptors starters can bring the ball up the court and initiate the offense and the frontcourt can switch to defend across all five positions.
This matchup always tends to offer close contests but I like where the Raptors are building toward and think they’ll keep the win streak alive particularly given the update on who is out for San Antonio.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors -5.5
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this San Antonio Spurs vs. Toronto Raptors matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!