Free NBA Pick: Raptors vs. Jazz NBA Odds
Looking for Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Raptors taking on the Jazz on Saturday, May 1st at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Raptors Jazz matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(26-37) Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz (45-18)
Date: Saturday, May 1st
Time: 10:00 PM EST
Venue: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
NBA Moneyline Odds: OFF
NBA Betting Odds: Jazz -7.5
NBA Betting Total: 226.5
On Saturday, May 1st, the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz will compete for the second time this season. Utah won the first meeting, March 19th (115-112).
The Jazz holds the all-time record between the clubs with 28 wins in 48 meetings. Last season, the teams played twice with the Raptors winning both contests.
Toronto Raptors
Of the Eastern teams vying for the 10th seed, the Raptors have the most difficult remaining schedule and are currently on a four-game Western trip. They played the Nuggets close for three quarters and finally ran out of gas.
It was a similar situation to the prior game where they battled Brooklyn leading for a good portion of the game but not having enough to close.
While most of the core is back several key reserves are out and whenever the Raptors bench enters the game they can’t hold leads. Fred VanVleet (hip) missed the Nuggets game as did Gary Trent Jr. (leg), Chris Bouchers (strained MCL), and Paul Watson (knee).
In their initial meeting versus Utah, all five starters plus Chris Boucher scored in double-figures. It was one of the few times this season Toronto was fully healthy.
Pascal Siakam posted 27 points and nine assists while Fred VanVleet delivered 17 points and nine assists. The perimeter shots were falling as the Raptors hit 21 triples on 44 attempts.
The NBA injury report doesn’t list VanVleet but the other trio are out plus the team is resting Kyle Lowry.
Utah Jazz
Since week seven of the season, the Utah Jazz has sat atop the league with the best record and continued to hold that position — until Friday night.
Playing the Suns who’ve had the Jazz’ number winning both previous meetings, Phoenix made it a clean sweep. Although the teams have matching records the tiebreak gives the Suns the advantage.
While Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley were out, it doesn’t dampen the win since Phoenix took all three games. Bojan Bogdanovic led with 22 points while Jordan Clarkson (12), Joe Ingles (12), and Matt Thomas (10) were the other double-figure scorers.
In the first meeting versus the Raptors, the Jazz had six players register double-figures. Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points but heated up in clutch time to push the Nuggets ahead. Rudy Gobert dropped a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds.
While the Jazz avoided injuries particularly to their core that’s recently changed with Mitchell missing the last seven games with an ankle sprain and Conely (hamstring) was also out Friday.
Though Utah hadn’t submitted their injury report for Saturday, logic would dictate if either guard was remotely close to a return the Suns game would’ve been the priority to have them play.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Raptors are 8-2 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
- The Raptors are 9-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these clubs
- The over/under is 6-4 in the last 10 contests between the clubs
Free Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz NBA Prediction:
The Raptors have the rest advantage but play the Lakers on Sunday in what will be their fifth game this week including the second back-to-back set.
Although the Jazz theoretically should win especially with Lowry out Toronto has tended to play well against the elite clubs in these scenarios. Gobert will have to deal with Khem Birch and Freddie Gilliepie who weren’t with Toronto on March 19th.
This is a must-win for the Raptors especially given they are 2-12 in second games of back-to-backs and will play the Lakers (with LeBron James back) on Sunday.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors +7.5
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