TORONTO RAPTORS (38-25) at SAN ANTONIO SPURS (39-23)
The San Antonio Spurs look to extend their five-game winning streak when they host the struggling Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Sportsbook.ag Line: San Antonio -7.0, Total: 205
The Raptors were tremendous to kick-off the season, but have hit hard times with SU losses in eight of their past nine games (2-7 ATS). They’ve scored a mere 95.3 PPG in the losses over that period and lost by double-digits three times. Most recently they traveled to OKC to go toe-to-toe with the Thunder and were getting 6.5 points in what ended in a 108-104 loss. The defense allowed Oklahoma City’s offense to hit 42-of-82 shots (51% FG) as Toronto was outrebounded 49-33 and made a mere nine free-throws.
San Antonio struggled when first coming out of the All-Star break, losing its initial four games, but has since gone for five consecutive SU victories (4-1 ATS); defeating opponents by 17.0 PPG over the streak. They were double-digit favorites in each of the past three games and were underdogs in just one of the contests; a 101-74 blowout on the road in Phoenix as 2.5-point ‘dogs. On Sunday they took on a depleted Chicago group and saw their offense go off for a 116-105 win as 10-point favorites. The Spurs held off an impressive 50.7% shooting performance by the Bulls with 44 made field goals (49% FG) and 20 forced turnovers.
The Raptors have been decent as an away team, going 17-14 SU (16-14-1 ATS) and will be facing a San Antonio group which is 23-7 SU (12-16-2 ATS) in its home town. The last time these two clubs met was just last month and Toronto was able to pull out an 87-82 win as 2-point underdogs at home; its first SU victory in this matchup since January of 2010 (8 games). The defense for the Raptors was phenomenal in the rare series win, allowing the Spurs to make just 31-of-93 shots (33% FG) and forcing 20 turnovers. It was the first time they held San Antonio to fewer than 100 points since their last win against them.
Trends show that Toronto is a perfect 8-0 ATS over the past two seasons when coming off a cover where the team lost the game SU as an underdog and the Spurs are 7-0 ATS after a game committing eight or fewer turnovers this year. Surprisingly the Raptors have been playing without injuries lately despite their poor play and will be going up against a San Antonio team which is also putting out a healthy squad.
Despite the Raptors recent offensive woes, they are still ranked fifth in the league in scoring 104.4 PPG as they hit 45.3% of their shots. It is typically the defense that lets them down as they are giving up 101.0 PPG (9th-worst in league) with opponents making 46% of their shots (5th-worst in league).
SG DeMar DeRozan (18.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.4 SPG) has been tearing it up recently and has posted 28.5 PPG (52% FG) over four March performances. He really struggled in his last meeting with the Spurs, hitting a meager 4-of-14 shots for 18 points as he added four assists, three steals and a block.
PG Kyle Lowry (18.1 PPG, 6.9 APG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG) has looked rusty since returning from a three-game absence, making just 14-of-37 field goal attempts (38% FG) but still managing 19.5 PPG in two contests. Despite having a poor shooting night (5-for-15) in his last matchup with San Antonio, he still had a solid all-around game with 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.
PG Louis Williams (15.2 PPG, 1.2 SPG) provides a nice spark off the bench for this club but has a putrid 7.5 PPG over the past two games after rattling off three consecutive 20+ point performances. He was a non-factor in the win over the Spurs last month, missing all five of his shot attempts as he posted a goose-egg in the points column.
The always efficient Spurs offense has scored 101.3 PPG (11th in league) this year behind 45.7% shooting (9th in league). The defense has put up great efforts as well and has given up 97.2 PPG (8th in league) on 44.4% shooting (12th in league).
SF Kawhi Leonard (15.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.1 SPG) has hit his stride and comes into this contest on the heels of four straight 20+ point showings (22.0 PPG) as he added 7.8 RPG, 2.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG. He couldn’t get it going against these Raptors in their last meeting, though, netting just 5-of-17 shots for 11 points with five rebounds.
PF Tim Duncan (14.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.8 BPG) has really cooled off as the season nears its end and over the past five contests has put up just 8.2 PPG (39% FG) with 6.6 RPG and 1.8 BPG. He also had some issues with his shooting stroke when he was last going against Toronto, making 3-of-14 shots, but still going for a double-double (12 points., 12 rebounds) and added five assists, two blocks and two steals.
PG Tony Parker (14.5 PPG, 4.8 APG) has been on fire in his last three contests with 25.0 PPG and 2.0 SPG as he comes off a season-high 32 points against Chicago. He did little to instill fear in the Toronto players last month with 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting with little else (3 assists, 3 rebounds).
