I’m now 3-2 in Raptors picks as Chicago (+2.5) scored a 100-93 win at Toronto on Thursday night. Tonight the Raptors play at home versus the Utah Jazz.
Utah Jazz (4-6) @ (7-2) Toronto Raptors
Probable starting line-ups:
Utah – Point Guard – Trey Burke Shooting Guard – Alec Burks C- Derrick Favors Small Forward – Gordon Hayward Power Forward – Enes Kanter
Toronto – PG – Kyle Lowry SG – DeMar DeRozan C – Jonas Valanciunas SF – Terrence Ross PF – Amir Johnson
Stats Leaders:
Utah – Points Per Game – Gordon Hayward 19.9 Rebounds Per Game – Derrick Favors 8.5 Assists Per Game – Trey Burke 5.4
Toronto – PPG – DeMar DeRozan 20.6 RPG – Jonas Valanciunas 7.3 APG – Kyle Lowry 6.0
Team Scoring: (with league ranking in parentheses)
Utah – Points For (Per Game) – 98.0 (20th) Points Against (Per Game) – 102.0 (22nd)
Toronto – PF – 105.4 (4th) PA – 96.8 (7th)
Overview:
The Utah Jazz put a halt to their 2 game losing streak last night as point guard Trey Burke nailed a buzzer-beating jumper from the corner to give the team a 102-100 win at New York. Small forward Gordon Hayward led the team with 33 points on 11 of 18 shooting in 38 minutes. He also had 6 assists, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds. He was 9 of 10 from the foul line. Power forward Derrick Favors had a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. He was 8 of 15 from the field in 31 minutes of action. Burke was the only other Utah player in double figures as he scored 13 on 5 of 9 shooting. He also had 8 assists. The team shot 51.4 % from the field, 45.5% from the 3 point line (10-22), and 80% from the free throw line (20-25). The Jazz out-rebounded the Knicks 39-31. They had a good opening period as they scored 31 to the NY’s 23. Utah is 1-4 on the road this season. Tonight is the 5th and final game of their Eastern Conference road trip. They are 0-2 in the 2nd game of a back to back this season.
The Toronto Raptors had their 5 game winning streak snapped with a 100-93 loss at home versus the Bulls on Thursday evening. Point guard Kyle Lowry led the team in defeat with 20 points on 8 of 19 shooting in 34 minutes. He also dished out 8 assists and grabbed 8 rebounds. Power forward James Johnson scored 16 points off the bench. He also had 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 blocks. He shot 7 of 9 from the field in 24 minutes. Power forward Amir Johnson chipped in with 14 points on 4 of 9 shooting in 30 minutes. He also pulled down 5 boards. Shooting DeMar DeRozan struggled with 10 points on an awful 3 0f 17 shooting night. The team shot 39.3% from the field, 32% from the 3 point line (8-25), and 71.4% from the free throw line (15-21). The Raptors were out-rebounded 48-38. After taking a 7 point lead in to the half the Raptors were out-scored 35-14 in the 3rd quarter. Toronto is 5-1 at home this season. Tonight is the 5th game of a 7 game home stand.
Last season Toronto was victorious in both meetings with Utah.
Prediction:
On Thursday the Raptors showed they are just a notch below the Bulls in the Eastern Conference pecking order. The 3rd quarter collapse killed them. They’ll take it out on the Jazz tonight. Take the Raptors -11.5 (1.90) (Bet365)
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