Toronto Raptors vs. Sacramento Kings Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The new-look Toronto Raptors (14-20, 16-17-1 ATS) travel to take on the Sacramento Kings (20-13, 17-16 ATS) in a non-conference matchup on Friday night. The Raptors are back in 12th in the East, while the Kings sit in 5th in the West. The Raptors just won on the road in Memphis 116-111, winning outright at 1.5-point underdogs. The Kings just went to double overtime with the Magic, winning 138-135, but did not cover the spread as 5.5-point favorites. This is the first of two matchups between these teams this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 EST from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
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Necessary Change
The Toronto Raptors needed to make a change, they liked their core, but they currently would not even make the play-in tournament, but are not one of the worst teams in the league for a high draft pick. They shipped out OG Anunoby, and brought back some nice pieces in RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. They have won their last two games with their new lineup, with Barrett and Quickley starting both games. In their last game, Quickley led the way with 26 points in the win over the Grizzlies.
The leading scorers for the Raptors have not changed. Pascal Siakam is still their top scorer, and Scottie Barnes is still second. Siakam is averaging 22.4 PPG and 6.6 RPG. Siakam has had 24 or more in his past four games, including a high of 36 in the win over Cleveland. Scottie Barnes has a strong all-around game, he averages 21.0 PPG, 9.1 RPG and 5.8 APG. Barnes has scored exactly 20 points in both games with his new teammates. Quickley has been scoring more than Barrett in their first games as a Raptor, Quickley is averaging 20.0 per game, while Barrett is getting 16.5 PPG. Quickley is an added threat from deep as he made seven threes over his first two games in Toronto. The Raptors are keeping Jakob Poeltl in the starting lineup at center with 10.4 PPG and 8.3 RPG.
Dennis Schroder has moved to the bench with the new acquisitions, he still leads the team in assists with 7.0 per game, while scoring 14.6 PPG. Gary Trent Jr is another scorer off the bench, and Chris Boucher is taking up the reserve post minutes. The Raptors are currently ranked 19th in offensive efficiency and 17th in defensive efficiency according to dunksandthrees.com. The Raptors rank 20th in the league in pace of play.
Injury Report:
Questionable: Otto Porter Jr.
Much Needed Day Off
NBA teams are accustomed to playing multiple games in few days, but Sacramento is happy to have had an off day on Thursday. The Kings needed double-overtime to win a game over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. De'Aaron Fox iced the game, making a layup and hitting a free throw in the last minute. Fox played 44 minutes, while Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray each played 46 minutes. The Kings were led in scoring by Malik Monk with 37 points and added nine assists in the win.
De'Aaron Fox is the top scorer for the Kings at 29.4 PPG, that puts him sixth in the NBA in scoring, and he is the top shooter on the team with 3.4 made threes per game on 39.0% shooting. Fox came up big late against Orlando, but did have an off-night as he only shot 6-22 and finished with 15 points in the win. Sabonis has a great feel for the game inside, he scores 19.6 PPG and also leads the team with 12.8 RPG and 7.5 APG from the center position. Sabonis currently leads the league in rebounds per game. Keegan Murray continues to improve, he is a strong outside shooter and adds 15.6 PPG and 5.5 RPG. The starting lineup features two more shooters in Harrison Barnes with 11.3 PPG and Kevin Huerter with 9.9 PPG.
Malik Monk is making a case for Sixth Man of the Year, he had a huge game against Orlando with 37 points and is averaging 14.9 PPG. Trey Lyles and JaVale McGee take the bench minutes at the post spots. The Kings rank 12th in offensive efficiency and 19th in defensive efficiency. They play faster than the Raptors, the Kings rank 10th in pace of play.
Injury Report: None listed
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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Rating:
The Raptors have won two games with their new lineup, but they are not ready to take on Sacramento on the road. The Raptors have not been strong on the road lately, they have only won two of their last nine games on the road, and those wins were over struggling teams in Washington and Memphis. The Raptors even lost in Detroit when the Pistons were breaking records for consecutive losses. The Kings played a long game against Orlando, but they will get right with their day off. The Raptors have length on the outside, but the matchups at the most important spots are a mismatch. They do not have anyone to guard Fox, in their new lineup it will have to be Quickley, but that is a matchup that favors the Kings. Then inside, Poeltl cannot move as well as Sabonis, and the Kings' big man will be comfortable scoring and making plays against this Toronto front line. The Kings are in the middle of a four game home stand, and already dropped a game to Charlotte, they will not want to lose another in this stretch. The Kings' stars will take advantage of their matchups and help to cover this number.
Take the Kings to cover
Prediction: Kings to cover
Full-Game Total Pick
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Rating:
Both teams are coming in healthy off a day of rest, and play fast offensively which will push this to an over. The Raptors and Kings have all of their top scorers healthy so there will be no limit of scoring options for either team. The Raptors have the 8th fastest offensive possessions per game, and the Kings have the 6th fastest according to dunksandthrees.com. The Kings play fast, allowing Fox to attack or Sabonis to find shooters on the perimeter early in the possession. Toronto's acquisition of Quickley and Barrett will speed them up, as they are known more as scorers where Anunoby was more of a defender. Toronto has gone over in three of their last four games and will continue the trend here. Neither team ranks in the top half of the league in defensive efficiency, so do not count on a lot of stops in this one. This will be a shootout as all the top players are healthy and the teams play fast.
Take the over.
Prediction: Over
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