Pistons vs. Raptors picks and odds: Bet on a good start from Toronto
The Toronto Raptors are heavy home favourites for their Sunday afternoon matchup against the Detroit Pistons.
The pregame narrative: The Raptors took a four-point win over the Pistons in Detroit this past fall, and now Toronto is seeking a fourth win in five games. Detroit, on the other hand, will attempt to avoid a fourth loss in five games.
Odds as of 9:27 a.m. on 02/12/2023.
Pistons vs. Raptors picks
Best Bet: Under 228.5 points (-110)
Neither of these teams is having an exceptional season offensively, and although Toronto kept its best players together at the trade deadline we’re looking to fade scoring in today’s matchup.
Take a look at what these teams have done on offence this year (NBA ranks in parentheses):
Yes, Toronto and Detroit hit the over when they met in November, but that was on a much lower line (217.5), and they still fell under this mark in a 115-111 final.
The Pistons have been on a nice streak of unders lately, cashing on that side in six of their past seven. The lone exception was Friday’s overtime win over San Antonio, which would’ve hit the under had it not stretched past regulation.
Toronto hasn’t been hitting the under with quite the same regularity, but six of its past nine games have finished below this total.
Key stat: The Raptors and Pistons combine to average 225.3 points per game.
Quick picks
Raptors over 29.5 points 1Q (-122): We don’t expect this game to have a ton of scoring overall, but we do like the Raptors’ chances of crafting a solid start (more on that in a moment).
Toronto averages 29.2 first-quarter points at home and has scored 30-plus points in six of its past eight matchups at Scotiabank Arena. Expect another strong opening frame for the host side.
Raptors -6.5 1H (-112): Toronto generally holds its own in the first half, posting a 31-26 ATS record according to EV Analytics. At home, the Raptors have been even better, covering in the first half in 17 of 29 (58.6%) games.
Although the Raptors let the Pistons hang around late during their matchup in November, Toronto had gotten off to a nice start in the early going. It held a seven-point lead at half before Detroit chipped away a bit in the later portion of the game.
