PREMIUM
3-Game Friday SWEEPER PASS
(NBA) Toronto vs. Utah,
Point Spread: -1.50 | -113.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -1.50 | -113.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 20-8 Toronto Raptors own the third-best road winning percentage (.750) in the NBA, behind San Antonio and Golden State. The Raptors have won five consecutive games outside of Canada by an average margin of 13.0 PPG and will visit Salt Lake City Friday night to take on the 18-12 Jazz, who after establishing themselves as contenders in the Western Conference with wins in 11 of 13 games, have suffered back-to-back losses, 104-74 at Golden St. and 94-93 at home to the Kings.
Toronto: DeMar DeRozan (27.9-5.1-4.1) had a string of four straight games scoring 30 or more points come to an end when he was held to 15 on 6-of-20 shooting against Brooklyn on Tuesday but the Raptors still cruised to a 116-104 triumph. Toronto is displaying scoring options beyond DeRozan and point guard Kyle Lowry (21.2-4.6-7.4), who is averaging 22.8 points on 55.2 percent shooting, including 56 percent from beyond the arc in December. Ross (10.7), Patterson (7.6 & 5.8), Cory Joseph (8.9) and Powell (7.0) give the Raptors one of the best reserve units in the NBA plus let's not forget starting center Valanciunas, averaging 12.3 & 9.8. The Raptors have scored at least 100 points in 15 consecutive games and ranks third in scoring (112.3 PPG) and second in FG percentage (47.9%).
Utah: The Jazz were beaten at their own game when the Warriors showed off their defense in a 104-74 drubbing on Tuesday. They then squandered a 20-point lead and fell at home 94-93 to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. "We should have never been in that situation," Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward told reporters. "I think we've done this, what, four or five times now this season? This one finally came back to bite us. You can't keep blowing 20-point leads and win every single time. This one stings for sure." Utah is piecing together the backcourt due to various injuries and was without starting point guard George Hill (toe), starting shooting guard Rodney Hood (illness) and backup point guard Dante Exum (knee) on Tuesday. The Jazz are hoping to get Exum and Hood back quickly while Hill, who is averaging 20 points and 4.2 assists but missed the last 11 games, is back practicing and could be cleared to return on Friday. Defense has been the one constant, as Utah ranks first in points allowed (94.9 per) and opponents' FG percentage (42.6%).
The pick: Now here's the rub. The Raptors have won 12 of their last 14 games and look for a sixth straight road win here. Toronto is 9-3 SU and 10-2 ATS on the road this season and is 6-1 against the NBA's top-10 defensive teams this season, averaging 111.4 points in those games. Make Toronto an 8* play.
Toronto: DeMar DeRozan (27.9-5.1-4.1) had a string of four straight games scoring 30 or more points come to an end when he was held to 15 on 6-of-20 shooting against Brooklyn on Tuesday but the Raptors still cruised to a 116-104 triumph. Toronto is displaying scoring options beyond DeRozan and point guard Kyle Lowry (21.2-4.6-7.4), who is averaging 22.8 points on 55.2 percent shooting, including 56 percent from beyond the arc in December. Ross (10.7), Patterson (7.6 & 5.8), Cory Joseph (8.9) and Powell (7.0) give the Raptors one of the best reserve units in the NBA plus let's not forget starting center Valanciunas, averaging 12.3 & 9.8. The Raptors have scored at least 100 points in 15 consecutive games and ranks third in scoring (112.3 PPG) and second in FG percentage (47.9%).
Utah: The Jazz were beaten at their own game when the Warriors showed off their defense in a 104-74 drubbing on Tuesday. They then squandered a 20-point lead and fell at home 94-93 to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. "We should have never been in that situation," Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward told reporters. "I think we've done this, what, four or five times now this season? This one finally came back to bite us. You can't keep blowing 20-point leads and win every single time. This one stings for sure." Utah is piecing together the backcourt due to various injuries and was without starting point guard George Hill (toe), starting shooting guard Rodney Hood (illness) and backup point guard Dante Exum (knee) on Tuesday. The Jazz are hoping to get Exum and Hood back quickly while Hill, who is averaging 20 points and 4.2 assists but missed the last 11 games, is back practicing and could be cleared to return on Friday. Defense has been the one constant, as Utah ranks first in points allowed (94.9 per) and opponents' FG percentage (42.6%).
The pick: Now here's the rub. The Raptors have won 12 of their last 14 games and look for a sixth straight road win here. Toronto is 9-3 SU and 10-2 ATS on the road this season and is 6-1 against the NBA's top-10 defensive teams this season, averaging 111.4 points in those games. Make Toronto an 8* play.
