The new era of Toronto Raptors basketball has gotten off to a great start, but things will get a little tougher when they begin a West Coast swing, starting tonight against the high-octane Sacramento Kings.
The Raps have won their first two games with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley and now they will try to win three in a row for the first time all season. But if they do so, it will have to be as underdogs, as the latest NBA odds have Toronto getting 5-points on the road tonight.
The Kings enter this game in fifth place in the Western Conference but they have hit a bit of a rough patch lately, going just 3-6 against the spread in their last nine games. Can Toronto keep this close thanks to this new and improved roster, or will Sacramento take care of business?
I break down this matchup and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for Raptors vs. Kings on January 5.
Raptors vs Kings odds
Raptors vs Kings predictions
The Toronto Raptors have looked like a completely different team since making the trade for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickly. The new era of Raptors basketball started with a 124-121 win over Cleveland, and they followed that up with a 116-111 victory over Memphis on Wednesday.
It’s nice to see this team with a few more shooters and more than two guys who can handle the basketball, and Quickley embodies both of those traits.
It looks like the Raptors are going to give Quickley every opportunity to flourish and take his game to the next level. The early returns have been promising, as Quickley put up 14 points while going 2-5 from 3-point range against the Cavaliers and followed that up with a 26-point, 5-8 from three performance vs. the Grizzlies.
Quickley is now shooting 47.7% from beyond the arc on 5.4 attempts per game over his last 12 games and I like chances to stay hot from deep in this one.
While the Sacramento Kings' defense isn’t a wasteland like it used to be, it’s still not great. Sacramento enters this matchup ranked 17th in defensive rating and 23rd in opponent effective field goal percentage, and the Kings also have some issues on the perimeter.
They enter Friday 23rd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, allowing opponents to hit 38.1 of their attempts per game, and rank 14th in opponent 3-pointers made per game.
At plus money, I am willing to back Quickley to keep his shooting rhythm going in a game with an already-high total of 238.5.
My best bet: Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 threes (+105 at PointsBet)
Raptors vs Kings same-game parlay
Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 threes
Immanuel Quickley Over 3.5 assists
Domantas Sabonis Over 7.5 assists
Shooting isn’t the only thing Quickley has done for the Raptors since coming over from the Knicks.
Quickley has also shown his ability as a playmaker as well, having recorded eight assists in his first two games as a Raptor, despite averaging 2.5 assists as a Knick. One way to attack this Kings defense is with the extra pass. Sacramento ranks 20th in the NBA in opponent assists per game, so let’s add Over 3.5 assists for Quickley.
But Quickley won’t be the only one dishing out the dimes in this one, as Domantas Sabonis is averaging 9.0 assists per game over his last 10 games, handing out eight or more seven times in that stretch. The Raptors rank 23rd in opponent assists per game, so let’s close this SGP out with Sabonis to go Over 7.5 assists.
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Raptors vs Kings spread and Over/Under analysis
The Raptors opened this road game as 5-point road underdogs and that’s where the line sits as of early Friday afternoon.
Toronto has played much better since the trade, going 2-0 straight up and against the spread in the first two games. While I think the Kings will provide a tough test, I like the idea of getting five points with the Raptors here.
That’s partly due to the Raps improved play and partly because the Kings have been a little inconsistent of late. They are 3-6 ATS in their last nine games and a big reason for that is their defense ranking 19th in efficiency and 20th in opponent scoring, surrendering 118.1 points per game over that stretch.
When it comes to the total, that hit the board at 238.5 and has been bet down slightly to 238 at some shops. The Raptors have put up 124 and 116 points in the first two games of this new roster and are now going against an inconsistent Kings defense.
All the while, the Toronto defense ranks just 22nd in defensive rating since the start of December. I'm ultimately leaning towards playing the Over this evening.
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Raptors vs Kings betting trend to know
The Kings have hit the team total Over in 27 of their last 44 games at home for +7.8 units. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Kings.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Raptors vs Kings game info
| Location: | Golden1 Center, Sacramento, CA |
| Date: | Friday, January 5, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBCS-CA, Sportsnet |
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