Raptors vs Suns Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

The Toronto Raptors tank can get those treads rolling when they visit the Phoenix Suns tonight. A team that is actively trying to win basketball games.

But is 8.5 points too many to spot a team that has been one of the best bets in the NBA all season long? Particularly for a Phoenix squad that has struggled to find a rhythm this season.

My Raptors vs. Suns predictions breaks it all down and bring you my NBA picks for this matchup set to tip off at PHX Arena in Phoenix at 10 pm ET on Monday, March 17.

Raptors vs Suns prediction

My Raptors pick: Raptors +8.5 (-110 at PointsBet Canada)

My analysis
The way the Toronto Raptors were playing it made you wonder if they even knew how to tank properly. The Raptors had won six of their last seven straight up and against the spread heading into last night’s road game against the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Luckily, for Toronto fans who want to see the Raps improve their draft position, the Blazers are for a play-in spot. And with some starters on the sideline at the end of another close game, the Raptors fell 105-102.

Tonight, they’ll take on a team battling the Blazers to get into the play-in — the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season, sitting at 31-37 and in 11th place in the Western Conference, and need to start stringing together some wins if they hope to make a postseason push.

Now, I’m guessing the Raptors will be happy to oblige here. RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, and Ja’Kobe Walter are already listed as out on the injury report and the Raps have been known to add some names to the list as tipoff approaches.

The thing is, I still think 8.5 points is too many points to be giving the Raptors in this situation. 

Despite Toronto’s best efforts to tank, whether it’s by using the injury report or sitting starters in close games, this is a well-coached team that somehow still has good vibes. 

Guys like Jamal Shead, AJ Lawson, and Orlando Robinson are all making the most of their opportunities and it’s a big reason why the Raptors have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games. That and ranking second in defensive rating over eight games in March sure helps.

Meanwhile, the Suns are still struggling to find any consistency. They are also playing the second half of a back-to-back after losing 107-96 to the Los Angeles Lakers last night.

Tensions between Kevin Durant and the Phoenix coaching staff look high and you can see it on the court. The Suns are 1-3 in their last four games and haven’t won back-to-back games since a three-game winning streak at the end of Jan.

The Suns' biggest problem is they can’t prevent buckets. Phoenix enters this matchup ranked 27th in defensive rating and gets burned on the 3-point line, allowing the seventh-most made threes per game.

Like I said, I think the Suns pull this one out, but they have given us no reason to believe it will be easy. Hell, they just lost to the Raptors in Toronto 127-109 back on Feb. 23. Tank or no tank, give me the 8.5 points with the Raps.

Raptors vs Suns same-game parlay

Raptors +8.5

Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 rebounds

Nick Richards Under 9.5 rebounds

+375 at PointsBet Canada

It’s really difficult to handicap the Raptors player prop these days. I am generally avoiding most of their starters. They are either “injured” or sitting on the bench late in the game.

But for tonight I’m taking my chances with Scottie Barnes. He isn’t on the injury report as of early Monday afternoon, and if he does suit up, I like him to have a big night on the boards. 

The Suns are pretty bad when it comes to cleaning the glass. Phoenix ranks 21st in rebounding rate and 19th in opponent rebounds per game. Barnes is averaging 7.9 rebounds per game this season and has hit double-digits in four of his last six games. He also hauled down nine boards in the Feb. 23 win over the Suns. 

We are getting his rebounding total at 6.5 tonight because of a potential fourth-quarter benching, but the value is good enough to attach it to this same-game parlay.

Speaking of the Suns rebounding, Nick Richards is probably the best of the bunch, averaging 8.5 per game this season. However, his rebounding total for this matchup is sitting at 9.5. 

But with Barnes and potentially Jakob Poeltl back for a Toronto team that ranks 12th in rebounding rate, getting to that number could prove difficult. Give me the Under on a number he’s stayed below seven of his last 10 games.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Raptors vs Suns odds

Raptors vs Suns live odds

Raptors vs Suns opening odds

• Spread: Toronto +8 | Phoenix -8
• Moneyline: Toronto +275 | Phoenix -350
• Over/Under: Over 234.5 | Under 234.5

Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada.

Raptors vs Suns spread and Over/Under analysis

• The Raptors opened this matchup as 8-point road underdogs and have been moved to 8.5 as of early Monday afternoon.
• Both teams are playing their second game in as many nights, but the Raptors have not only been the much better bet this season they are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games when getting six or more points while the Suns are 5-9-1 ATS when laying six or more points.
• This total hit the board at 234.5 but as word that several key Raptors players would sit this game out, the number began to plummet and currently sits at 226.5.
• This number is now low enough that I would lean toward the Over. The Raptors have performed well against poor defensive teams even without multiple starters in recent weeks. And the Suns qualify as a poor defensive team.

Raptors vs Suns trend

The Raptors have covered the Spread in 45 of their last 74 games for +15.30 Units and a 19% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Suns.

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