The Toronto Raptors (17-23) host the Utah Jazz (29-11) at their 2020-21 season home of Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., Friday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Jazz-Raptors odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
The Raptors enter off a season-worst six-game losing skid. Four of those games were on the road, including a 116-112 loss to the Detroit Pistons Wednesday. The first five of those games were without several key starters, who had been in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols. Toronto’s expected to have its full roster available Friday.
The once juggernaut Jazz have scuffled to a 2-4 record in March. Utah has played just one home game this month and is playing the fourth game of a five-game trek Friday. They’re coming off a 131-122 loss to the Washington Wizards Thursday.
Jazz at Raptors: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Jazz -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Raptors +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
- Against the spread/ATS: Jazz -5 (-110) | Raptors +5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Jazz at Raptors: Key injuries
Jazz
- PG Mike Conley (knee) out
Raptors
- None
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Jazz at Raptors: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Jazz 118, Raptors 109
Money line (ML)
Both teams have been riding the struggle bus this month, but Toronto will get some obvious reinforcements Friday with PF Pascal Siakam, SG Fred VanVleet and SF OG Anunoby all in action. Siakam and VanVleet went a combined 5-for-24 from the floor in their Wednesday returns and similar rust can be expected for Anunoby after his prolonged layoff.
Even if fully healthy and in full swing, the Raps don’t match up well against the Jazz. Both teams love to chuck the 3-ball, with Toronto third in 3-point attempts per game (40.5) and Utah first (42.9) for the season. The Jazz hit a significantly higher rate (.397-378) and rank seventh in 3-point defense to the Raptors’ 23rd.
With Toronto hoping, at best, to play the same brand of basketball that has Utah first in the Western Conference, the Jazz should win, but the -210 tag is too steep for struggling teams.
PASS.
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Against the spread (ATS)
Utah is 5-1 ATS with a plus-4.2 cover margin when playing on no rest and 7-3 ATS with a rest disadvantage. The reason for this is largely that the presumed disadvantage has lowered the line too far for the Jazz as favorites. Toronto is 1-5 ATS with the rest advantage.
In addition to 3-point shooting, the Jazz also have sizable advantages in rebounding and fouls. Those areas will come into play against the rusty Raptors.
Take JAZZ -5 (-110) to win by 6 or more points.
Over/Under (O/U)
Lean slightly to the UNDER 229.5 (-110). The Jazz’s excellent 3-point defense is the key here.
The Jazz have exceeded their season average of 116.3 points per game in seven straight outings but still hit the Under in two of their last four games.
Take UNDER 229.5 (-110) with obvious rust concerns for Toronto.
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Also see:
- NBA trade intel (Hoops Hype)
- Rookie Wire power rankings
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