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Portland Trail Blazers at Toronto Raptors Preview 02/02/18

The Toronto Raptors (34-16) square off against the Portland Trail Blazers (29-22) at Air Canada Centre. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, February 2, 2018.

Toronto opened as a 4.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 214.5 points.

Portland Trail Blazers at Toronto Raptors Free Prediction

The Trail Blazers come in on a high note after defeating the Chicago Bulls in their last contest, 124-108. One of Portland’s biggest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 17-20 (85.0 percent), while the Bulls were just 13-22 (59.1 percent). With 50 points on 18-for-25 shooting, CJ McCollum was the top scorer from either team.

In the Raptors’ last game, they lost a tough one against the Washington Wizards, 122-119. Washington’s 33.3 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Toronto, who had a rate of 20.0. The Wizards’ mark was above their season average of 22.7. With 29 points on 10-for-19 shooting, Kyle Lowry was the top scorer from either team.

Toronto could put on a ball-control clinic in this meeting. Toronto ranks fourth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.0 percent), while Portland forces the second-fewest turnovers (12.7 percent).

Portland comes into the game with records of 29-22 straight up (SU) and 25-21-5 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Trail Blazers tend to finish under the O/U total (58.8 percent).

Meanwhile, Toronto owns records of 34-16 SU and 26-23 ATS. Unlike Portland, a little over half of Raptors games have finished over the O/U total.

Jonas Valanciunas has averaged 15.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for Toronto.

This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Trail Blazers lost 99-85, unable to cover as 4-point favorites. Damian Lillard led both teams with 36 points. The game finished with a total of 184 points, which was 27.5 points below the projected point total of 211.5 points. The Raptors had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (20.0 vs. 13.3) and had a better turnover percentage (8.7 vs. 12.8).

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Pick

Pick: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under

Notes

Betting Notes:

On the road, Portland is 15-9-2 ATS with 15 unders and 11 overs.

Toronto is 12-11 ATS at home with 12 unders and 11 overs.

When allowing under 100 points, Toronto is 15-5 and Portland is 17-4.

In games where they reach 100 points, the Raptors are 31-9 and the Trail Blazers are 24-12.

Toronto ranks seventh in fast break points per game (13.7) while Portland ranks last (6.8).

The Raptors rank fourth in points off turnovers per game (18.4) while the Trail Blazers rank 26th (14.6).

Toronto ranks fourth in points in the paint per game (48.3) while Portland ranks 24th (41.8).

The Raptors rank second in blocks per game (6.0) while the Trail Blazers rank 20th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).

Toronto ranks 10th in steals per game (8.2) while Portland ranks 27th (6.8).

The Trail Blazers rank 11th in second chance points per game (12.8) while the Raptors rank 28th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).

Toronto ranks 12th in assists per game (22.8) while Portland ranks 28th (19.2).

The Trail Blazers rank sixth in rebounds per game (44.9) while the Raptors rank 13th in rebounds allowed per game (42.7).

Toronto leads the league with 25.2 three pointers allowed per game while Portland is fourth with 25.9 three pointers allowed per game.

Bettings Trends:

In their last five games, Portland is 4-0-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.

Toronto is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.

The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.8, up from 1.9 for the season.

During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 110.4 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.4 points per game (1.2 above their season average).

Written by GMS Previews

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