Kings vs Raptors Picks and Predictions: 'Spicy P' Puts on a Show in the Paint

The Toronto Raptors have won three of their last four games and will try to carry that momentum into tonight’s game against the Sacramento Kings who have dropped two in a row.

The Kings have a high-octane offense but are still lacking on the defensive end. Can the Raps take advantage of their weakness’ and cover the 4.5-point spread at home?

Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Kings vs. Raptors on December 13.

Kings vs Raptors odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The Raptors opened this matchup as 4-point home favorites and have seen the early money, moving the line to 4.5. The total hit the board at 221.5 and hasn’t seen much action as of Monday afternoon.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Kings vs Raptors predictions

• Prediction: Raptors -4.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 221.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Pascal Siakam Over 30.5 points + rebounds (-110)

Predictions made on 12/14/2021 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Kings vs Raptors game info

• Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
• Date: Monday, December 13, 2021
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN, NBCS California

Kings vs Raptors betting preview

Injuries

Kings: Richaun Holmes C (Out).
Raptors: OG Anunoby SF (Out), Khem Birch C (Out), Precious Achiuwa C (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Under is 5-1 in the Raptors' last six games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Raptors.

Kings vs Raptors picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

With their top scorer and best overall player – OG Anunoby - sidelined for an extended period of time, the Raptors have needed to get back to focusing their efforts on the defensive end to pull themselves out of a funk that saw them lose 10 of 13 games.

Over the last five games, Toronto ranks second in the NBA in defensive rating and still ranks third in steals. 

Additionally, rotation cogs like Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and Gary Trent Jr. have picked up their play of late on offense, which is a huge help for a team that ranks 25th in the NBA in field goal percentage. 

Something else that could help a team that struggles to score is a date with the Kings as Sacramento has scuffled at that end of the floor all season long. The Kings rank 27th in defensive rating and 29th in opponent scoring.

The Kings have also struggled to defend the paint this season, so look for the Raptors to work Siakam and maybe even versatile rookie Scottie Barnes on the inside. 

And while the Kings can score in bunches, when they go cold it may as well be the Arctic. The team ranks 20th in the NBA when it comes to effective field goal percentage. The Raptors will aim to frustrate the Kings with tenacious defending while taking advantage of them on the inside on the way to covering the 4.5-point spread.

Prediction: Raptors -4.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

I immediately thought Under when the total opened at 221.5. We’ve already talked about how the Raptors have the ability to shut down a high-scoring yet inefficient Kings offense, but Toronto’s offense certainly isn’t anything to write home about.

While the Raptors have held their opponents to fewer than 100 points in four of their last five games and have started to win again, they've been basically doing the bare minimum. Toronto is averaging just 97.6 points per game over its last seven while shooting an NBA worst 40.7 percent from the floor.

On top of that, the Raptors play at one of the slowest paces in the league and they know they’ll want to slow the tempo in this one to throw the Kings off their rhythm.

Prediction: Under 221.5 (-110)

Best bet

Do you want to know just how badly the Kings have struggled to defend the interior this season? Well, they actually rank dead last when it comes to opponent points in the paint and are 24th in rebounding percentage. 

That should mean a big night for Raptors power forward Pascal Siakam, who is in a bit of a groove averaging 21.2 points and 8.3 rebounds over his last 10 games. That includes going for 32 and eight in his last meeting against the Kings.

Siakam’s points and rebounding total is on the board at 30.5, a number he has gone Over in two of his last three games. He should be able to keep dominating inside against the Kings, particularly with two of Sacramento's key big men sitting this one out.

Pick: Pascal Siakam Over 30.5 points + rebounds (-110)

Pages related to this topic