The NBA season is in full swing, and the action continues on Monday night with a cross-conference clash between the Toronto Raptors (1-2) and the San Antonio Spurs (3-0). We’ve got you covered with our Raptors vs. Spurs prediction. Tip-off is set for 8:00 ET from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, TX. Read on for free NBA picks on this game, and check out that link for other game breakdowns.
Raptors Enter on a Back-to-BackÂ
The expectations aren’t too high for the Toronto Raptors this season, especially considering they’re coming off of a campaign where they went 30-52. They’ve now missed the playoffs in three straight seasons. Toronto opened the season with a quality 138-118 win over Atlanta, but they’ve now dropped back-to-back games against Milwaukee (122-116) and Dallas (139-129). Speaking of back-to-backs, the Raptors will be on zero days of rest since their loss to the Mavericks was on Sunday. They’re 1-2 ATS, and they’ve gone 3-0 to the over.
The Raptors didn’t cover as 1.5-point favorites in Sunday’s 139-129 road loss to the Mavericks. Scottie Barnes registered a double-double, dropping 33 points while collecting 11 rebounds. Toronto was the better team from three-point range (39.4% to 38.5%) and in turnovers (16 to 20), while Dallas held edges in field goal rate (58.8% to 49.0%) and rebounding (49 to 43).
The Raptors are scoring 127.0 points per game, which is the fifth-most in the NBA. They own a field goal rate of 53.3% (2nd), while cashing 32.7% of their triples (25th). Toronto’s defense is 10th in efficiency, allowing 109.0 points per 100 possessions. Spurs Remain Perfect, Sit at 3-0
Like the Raptors, the San Antonio Spurs are entering Monday’s game on zero days of rest. San Antonio was able to pull out a 118-107 victory over Brooklyn on Sunday, and they’re now 3-0 in the young season. Their other wins came over Dallas (125-92) in the opener and New Orleans (120-116). Despite the hot start, the expectations still aren’t too lofty for the Spurs this season, as they’re a +5000 long shot to win the title. As for the game-by-game metrics, San Antonio is 2-1 ATS and 2-1 to the under.
The Spurs closed as 10.5-point favorites against the Nets on Sunday, so they managed to cover in the 118-107 victory. San Antonio held statistical edges in field goal percentage (50.0% to 39.1%), three-point shooting (44.4% to 32.0%), and rebounding (45 to 34), while Brooklyn was better in turnovers (12 to 15). As for individual efforts, it was none other than Victor Wembanyama leading the way. He registered 31 points and grabbed a team-leading 14 rebounds.
San Antonio is averaging 121.0 points per game, which is the 10th-most in the Association. The Spurs are currently ranked sixth in field goal rate (51.0%) and 13th in three-point shooting (36.7%). Defensively, they are first in efficiency, conceding 99.0 points per 100 possessions. Raptors vs. Spurs PickSpread Pick for Raptors vs. Spurs San Antonio Spurs -4.5 (-105) (5 units)
This Spurs team is rolling right now, sitting at 3-0 SU to start the season. Their +16.0 average margin of victory is the best in the Association by a wide margin. I’m going to ride the hot hand and take San Antonio to cover at home. Dating back to last season, the Spurs are in the midst of a 5-2 ATS run.
San Antonio will take on a Toronto squad that has struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball. The Raptors are allowing 126.3 points per game, which is 28th in the league. With the Spurs heating up offensively, I expect them to stretch this lead out and cover.
Over/Under Pick for Raptors vs. Spurs Over 232.5 (-110) (5 units)
I’ll go ahead and play the over in this game as well. The Spurs have scored at least 118 points in all three games this season, and they should have no issues scoring into the 120s in this game. The Raptors have allowed 118+ points in each of their opening three games this year.
Furthermore, Toronto is ranked third in pace this year, using 111.4 possessions per game. The over is now a perfect 7-0 in their last seven games. With two capable offenses and Toronto’s higher-paced tempo, I think we see enough offense to sneak over this number. Give me the over.
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