The Toronto Raptors (21-27) visit the Sacramento Kings (27-19) on Wednesday night. Action tips off at 10:10 p.m. ET. Below we continue our NBA odds series with a Raptors-Kings prediction, pick, and how to watch.
Toronto has lost three of their last four games and sits in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors covered 50% of their games while 56% went over the projected point total. Sacramento has won seven of their last eight games and sits in third place in the Western Conference. The Kings covered 58% of their games while 51% went under. This will be the second and final meeting between the two teams. Sacramento took the first matchup 124-123.
Here are the Raptors-Kings NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel
NBA Odds: Raptors-Kings Odds
Toronto Raptors: +3.5 (-114)
Sacramento Kings: -3.5 (-106)
Over: 238 (-110)
Under: 238 (-110)
How To Watch Raptors vs. Kings
TV: Sportsnet, NBCS California
Stream: NBA League Pass
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Why The Raptors Could Cover The Spread
Despite their poor record, Toronto remains a dangerous team and has a chance to cover as road underdogs tonight thanks to their stellar defense. The Raptors rank 11th in points allowed (112.4 Opp. PPG) and do an excellent job locking down the interior. Toronto ranks fifth in points in the paint allowed (47.6 Opp. PPG) and fourth in block rate (6.4%). Offensively, the Raptors are below average in scoring (112.6 PPG) but do an excellent job running in transition, ranking third in fast break scoring (17.8 PPG).
If the Raptors want to cover tonight they are going to need to score in order to keep up with Sacramento’s top-ranked offense. First and foremost, that scoring lies on the shoulders of forward Pascal Siakam. Siakam has been one of the lone bright spots on this Raptors team as he leads the team in points (25.2 PPG), rebounds (8.2 RPG), and assists (6.5 APG). He maintained that stellar stat line while still shooting an efficient 48% from the floor. While he struggled in their prior meeting with Sacramento, he is coming off a 24-point outing against the Knicks and should see a lot of open looks against a vulnerable Kings defense.
In addition to Siakam, the Raptors have a pair of talented guards who can fill up a box score. Point guard Fred VanVleet ranks second on the team in points (19.1 PPG) and assists (6.3 APG) but has been largely inefficient with a 39% field goal percentage. That being said, he had arguably his best game of the season when these teams last met – scoring 39 points and dishing out five assists. He’s averaged 30.7 PPG across their last four games and will look to carry that hot steak into tonight.
Shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. has been similarly hot in recent games. Toronto’s third-leading scorer averaged 18.7 PPG for the season and has been their most consistent outside shooter with a 37% three-point percentage. Like VanVleet, Trent Jr. has been on a tear across their last four games. During that span, he averaged 23 PPG and 3.5 threes per game.
Why The Kings Could Cover The Spread
The unquestioned breakout team of this NBA season has to be Sacramento. Despite holding the longest active playoff drought in the league, the Kings find themselves in third place in a loaded Western Conference. Most of their success can be contributed to their incredible offense. Sacramento leads the league in scoring (120.3 PPG) and ranks fourth in assists (27.2 APG). While they are the most efficient two-point shooting team in the NBA (59%), they remain a serious threat from beyond the arc. The Kings rank seventh in threes per game (13.7) – something that could come in handy against Toronto’s 20th-ranked three-point defense.
In a usual twist for high-octane offenses, the Kings’ ship is led by a big man. Domantas Sabonis leads the team in assists with 7.4 APG, while also leading the league in rebounding (12.5 RPG). Additionally, the seven-footer is a capable scorer as he averages 18.7 PPG. His all-around game was on full display in their previous meeting with Toronto as he scored 21 points, pulled down 20 rebounds, and dished out seven assists. With triple-doubles in three of his last five games, expect Sabonis to feast against a Toronto defense that gave up 23-19-8 to New York’s Julius Randle.
Sacramento’s X-factor tonight is point guard De’Aaron Fox. Fox leads the team with 24 PPG while also managing a respectable 6.1 APG. He had a monster game the first time these teams met when he scored 27 points and dished out 10 assists.
Final Raptors-Kings Prediction & Pick
Toronto is one of the worst road teams in the NBA (6-15) and I expect those struggles to continue tonight against a red-hot Sacramento squad.
Final Raptors-Kings Prediction & Pick: Sacramento Kings -3.5 (-108)