Spurs vs Raptors Picks and Predictions: Steady Freddy's Ready to Roll

The Toronto Raptors getting healthy and reminding people what the best version of them looks like. Toronto has won consecutive contests and will try to make it three in a row when the San Antonio Spurs arrive on Tuesday.

The Spurs have hit the skids of late. Losers of three in a row and missing several key rotation pieces due to COVID, can they cover the spread as underdogs against a rebounding Raptors squad?

Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Spurs vs. Raptors on January 4.

Spurs vs Raptors odds

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

The Raptors opened as 5.5-point home favorites and remain so at time of this writing. The total has oscillated between 222.5 and 223 and both can still be found at various books.

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.

Spurs vs Raptors predictions

• Prediction: Raptors -5.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 222.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Fred VanVleet Over 20.5 points (-120)

Predictions made on 01/3/2022 at 11:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Spurs vs Raptors game info

• Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
• Date: Tuesday, January 4, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Sportsnet, Bally Sports Southwest

Spurs vs Raptors betting preview

Injuries

Spurs: Dejounte Murray PG (Questionable), Lonnie Walker SF (Questionable), Doug McDermott SF (Questionable).
Raptors: No key injuries to report.
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Raptors are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games at home. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Raptors.

Spurs 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

Yes, the Raptors are finally getting the band back together and you can already see the difference on the court. Toronto has won two in a row, covering 6.5-point and 8.5-point spreads against the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks, respectively. 

Now, both of those wins came against shorthanded foes, but the Raps have been showing signs of turning the corner, covering seven of their last eight games overall, and will look to keep it going against a Spurs team that could also be missing some key pieces.

Toronto’s offense has picked back up as well, averaging 116.6 points per game over its last seven. The only time the Raptors scored fewer than 109 points over that span was their “Replacements” game where nearly the entire normal roster was in health and safety protocols. 

That Raptors offense has been led by point guard Fred VanVleet, who has gone for 30-plus points in his first two games back and has gone 11 for 26 from 3-point range. He will lead a Raptors offense against a Spurs team that ranks 20th in defensive rating since Dec. 6.

It has been an up-and-down season for the Spurs, and they’re mired in another down stretch after losing three in a row and could still be without leading scorer Dejounte Murray, who is recovering from his bout with COVID. It also sounds like they will be without key role players Doug McDermott and Lonnie Walker.

The tumultuous nature of the Spurs' season, combined with not having three key contributors, means they are in a tough spot against a well-coached and healthy Raptors team that has covered the spread in six straight home games.

Prediction: Raptors -5.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

When it comes to the total, my gut reaction is to the Over. We’ve already talked about how the Raptors offense is on the upswing and has a solid matchup against a sub-par Spurs defense, but Toronto’s performance at that end of the floor hasn’t been as strong as it would like.

Despite running some excellent schemes, Toronto still ranks 19th in defensive rating, 18th in opponent field goal percentage, and 24th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. And while the Spurs have been inconsistent, the offense has done its part.

San Antonio ranks a respectable 11th in offensive rating and are fifth in both scoring offense putting up 111.5 points per game and field goal percentage. If Murray is able to go for this matchup, the Spurs have enough depth to send this one Over the number.

Prediction: Over 222.5 (-110)

Best bet

As noted, it looks like the brief stay in the health and safety protocols didn’t affect Steady Freddy too much. The Raptors point guard has come out flying in his last two games, putting up 31 points against the Clippers before following that up with 35 against the Knicks. He’ll be primed to keep rolling against the Spurs.

VanVleet has averaged 31 points over his last four games dating back prior to his stint in the health and safety protocols. That includes going 23 for 50 (46%) from 3-point range over that span. Now, he faces a Spurs defense that allows the second-most points to opposing guards and ranks 19th in opponent 3-point percentage.

Feel confident backing VanVleet to eclipse his point total in this one.

Pick: Fred VanVleet Over 20.5 Points (-120)

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