Suns vs Raptors Picks and Predictions: Phoenix Will Clamp Down On Toronto Tonight

The Toronto Raptors have won six straight games but have been a little lucky during their winning streak, getting a few shorthanded opponents. Things should be a little more difficult tonight, as the Phoenix Suns come to town.

The Suns are tied for the best record in the NBA and are well-rested while coming off a tough loss to the Miami Heat. Is Toronto a live NBA betting home underdog, or will Phoenix prove to be too much as a slight favorite?

Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for Suns vs. Raptors on January 11.

Suns vs Raptors odds

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

The Raptors opened this matchup as 4.5-point home underdogs and the number has gotten as low as 3.5 and currently sits at 4. The total has seen little movement thus far, opening at 223.5 and coming down to 223.

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.

Suns vs Raptors predictions

• Prediction: Suns -3.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 223 (-110)
• Best bet: Pascal Siakam Under 23.5 points (-110)

Predictions made on 01/11/2022 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Suns vs Raptors game info

• Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
• Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN, BSAZ

Suns vs Raptors betting preview

Injuries

Suns: Cameron Johnson SF (Out), Landry Shamet SG (Questionable).
Raptors: Scottie Barnes SF (Questionable), Gary Trent Jr. (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Suns are 4-0 ATS in the last four games following a double-digit home loss. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Raptors.

Suns 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

The Raptors have been a fun watch over the last couple of weeks, winning six straight games and playing arguably their best basketball of the season. That said, they have been a little lucky when it comes to facing teams that have been shorthanded over this stretch.

In five of those six wins, the Raptors have faced a team missing at least its best player and, in the case of the Utah Jazz, their best eight players. But that won’t be the case tonight when they take on the visiting Phoenix Suns.

The Suns are coming off a tough 123-100 loss at home to the Miami Heat in what was the first game back for a bunch of guys coming off the COVID list. But now, they’ve had two days off and are one of the best teams in the NBA.

Led by Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton, the Suns rank eighth in offensive rating and second in defensive rating and are coming off an uncharacteristic loss where they shot just 38 percent from the floor and turned the ball over 15 times.

While the Raptors are playing well right now, particularly Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, this is a big step up in competition. What has also helped the Raptors lately has been their good health — but Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. are questionable to play tonight... and the Raps are not a deep team going against one of the deeper teams in the NBA.

The Suns also are the type of team that can expose Toronto’s sometimes overly aggressive defense with excellent ball movement.

This Raptors run has been fun and maybe they’ll give the Suns a good fight, but this is a short number to back one of the best teams in the NBA in a spot where they are rested and looking to rebound from a bad performance.

Prediction: Suns -3.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

When you look at this matchup of two Top-10 offenses, your initial reaction might be to look at the Over — but we’re actually going to lean the other way on this one.

For starters, just like the Raptors, the Suns really can get after it on defense and have some absolute problems at that end of the floor, including Mikal Bridges, who is just a vacuum for opposing offensive players.

Overall, the Suns rank second in defensive rating and fifth in opponent scoring per game. And even though the Raptors offense is rolling right now, this is the first time they have faced an elite (and healthy) defense over this stretch.

And even with the hot streak, the Raptors still rank 26th in effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage for the season. That could be tough going against a Suns defense that ranks third in opponent field goal percentage.

Toronto has also picked up its pace on the defensive end during this winning streak, ranking ninth in defensive rating over that span. Even though Phoenix is well-rested, this doesn’t have the feel of a shootout. Bet on this one staying below the number.

Prediction: Under 223 (-110)

Best bet

Pascal Siakam has been on fire lately, putting up 24.4 points on 50.3 percent shooting while adding 9.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists over his last eight games. But this is going to be a tough matchup for him.

The Suns have a ton of guys they can throw at him, whether it’s Bridges or Jae Crowder on the outside, or Deandre Ayton clogging up the paint. Either way, it just looks like it will be a long day for Siakam.

The Raptors' forward still averages 20.6 points per game on the season and has put up 20 or fewer points three times in his last five outings. So his point total getting set at 23.5 seems a touch high.

We’re betting he stays Under in this one.

Pick: Pascal Siakam Under 23.5 points (-110)

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