PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* TOTAL DOMINATION >> Won Last 3 Totals!
(NBA) Toronto vs. Phoenix,
Total: 217.50 | -110.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 217.50 | -110.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Toronto Raptors averaged almost 120 PPG (117, to be exact) during a six-game winning streak but Monday night at Staples Center, Toronto was beaten by the Clippers 96-91. The Raptors conclude their four-game road trip when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. The Raptors beat the Suns 126-113 at home back on Dec. 5, beginning a four-game skid for Phoenix, which just lost 99-92 road at Sacramento on Tuesday.
Toronto: "It happens," shooting guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters after the loss to the Clippers. "We're going to have nights like that where we miss shots. We made a lot of mistakes in the last couple of minutes of the game." DeRozan was limited to 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting against the Clippers, after averaging 25.4 points over the previous five games. DeRozan (23.2-4.5-5.2) and PG Kyle Lowry (16.4-6.4-7.0) lead four starters in double digits, joined by PF Ibaka (13.2 & 5.5) and center Valanciunas (10.6 & 7.5). One bright spot in the Monday loss an offensive spark from Valanciunas, who tied season highs with 23 points and 15 rebounds (his first double-double since Nov. 7).
Phoenix: The last time these teams met (see above), the Suns lost more than game, as shooting guard Devin Booker suffered a groin injury. Booker (24.3-4.5-4.1) is expected to miss two to three weeks, leaving only T.J. Warren (18.7 & 5.7) as a reliable scorer. Phoenix badly missed Booker in Tuesday's loss, as teams are crowding the other shooters since they don't have to focus on traps or double teams of the 21-year-old star. Small forward TJ Warren has been trying to pick up the slack but was 9-of-24 shooting while scoring 18 points against the Kings. The Suns missed 15 of 17 three-pointers in the second half. "We've just got to get better at shooting the 3-ball," Phoenix coach Jay Triano said afterward. "The game is trending that way and we got to be able to make more than 2-of-17 in a half." Rookie Josh Jackson (9.2 & 3.6), who is starting in place of Booker, was only 3-of-14 shooting for seven points against the Kings.
The pick: Despite the 'hiccup' at Staples Center, the Raptors have been one of the hotter teams in the NBA and in stark contrast, the Suns have lost six of seven and 16 of 21. In this quick turnaround from Toronto's 126-113 home win over Phoenix (Dec. 5), I see the result being pretty much the same, as the Booker-less Suns just don't have the firepower to match the Raptors. In Suns have averaged a woeful 97.3 PPG in the three games since Booker got hurt. Make the Under a 10* play.
Toronto: "It happens," shooting guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters after the loss to the Clippers. "We're going to have nights like that where we miss shots. We made a lot of mistakes in the last couple of minutes of the game." DeRozan was limited to 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting against the Clippers, after averaging 25.4 points over the previous five games. DeRozan (23.2-4.5-5.2) and PG Kyle Lowry (16.4-6.4-7.0) lead four starters in double digits, joined by PF Ibaka (13.2 & 5.5) and center Valanciunas (10.6 & 7.5). One bright spot in the Monday loss an offensive spark from Valanciunas, who tied season highs with 23 points and 15 rebounds (his first double-double since Nov. 7).
Phoenix: The last time these teams met (see above), the Suns lost more than game, as shooting guard Devin Booker suffered a groin injury. Booker (24.3-4.5-4.1) is expected to miss two to three weeks, leaving only T.J. Warren (18.7 & 5.7) as a reliable scorer. Phoenix badly missed Booker in Tuesday's loss, as teams are crowding the other shooters since they don't have to focus on traps or double teams of the 21-year-old star. Small forward TJ Warren has been trying to pick up the slack but was 9-of-24 shooting while scoring 18 points against the Kings. The Suns missed 15 of 17 three-pointers in the second half. "We've just got to get better at shooting the 3-ball," Phoenix coach Jay Triano said afterward. "The game is trending that way and we got to be able to make more than 2-of-17 in a half." Rookie Josh Jackson (9.2 & 3.6), who is starting in place of Booker, was only 3-of-14 shooting for seven points against the Kings.
The pick: Despite the 'hiccup' at Staples Center, the Raptors have been one of the hotter teams in the NBA and in stark contrast, the Suns have lost six of seven and 16 of 21. In this quick turnaround from Toronto's 126-113 home win over Phoenix (Dec. 5), I see the result being pretty much the same, as the Booker-less Suns just don't have the firepower to match the Raptors. In Suns have averaged a woeful 97.3 PPG in the three games since Booker got hurt. Make the Under a 10* play.
