Toronto Raptors vs Phoenix Suns Predictions, Free NBA Pick 3/3/2020

Game: Toronto Raptors vs Phoenix Suns

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ

TV: Fox Sports Arizona

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 228

Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors (42-18, 1st in the Atlantic Division) are headed to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Tuesday where they'll take on the Phoenix Suns (24-37, 4th in the Pacific Division). Toronto opens this matchup as 5.5 point favorites. The O/U has been set at 228.

The Raptors cover 55.0% of the time, having gone 33-27-0 ATS. Phoenix is covering 45.0% of the time, going 27-33-1 against the spread.

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

03/01/20 PG Fred VanVleet Shoulder is questionable Tuesday vs Phoenix
03/01/20 C Serge Ibaka Knee is questionable Tuesday vs Phoenix
02/20/20 C Marc Gasol Hamstring is out indefinitely

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

02/27/20 SF Kelly Oubre Jr. Knee is out indefinitely
01/04/20 PF Frank Kaminsky Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry comes into this game averaging 19.2 points per contest while playing 36.5 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per contest and distributes 7.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is 86%. Pascal Siakam averages 23.5 points per contest in 35.2 minutes per game. He averages 3.5 assists per game and 7.5 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Ricky Rubio scores 12.6 points per contest while playing 31.3 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.5 rebounds per contest and has 8.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Devin Booker averages 26.0 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 36.0 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.1 rebounds per game and has 6.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 112.8 points per contest, which is 12th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 6.4 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 18th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 4th in the NBA. They average 45.3 boards per contest and 25.5 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 18th with 14.5 per game. The Raptors allow 106.4 points per contest, which is 1st in the NBA. They also surrender a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 1st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.5 rebounds a game which ranks 24th, and they allow 25.5 assists per game which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 17.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 29th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 15th in the NBA with 112.0 points per contest this season. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -1.36. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 23rd in the league. They are 23rd in the NBA in rebounding with 43.1 boards per contest and 2nd in assists per game with 27.1. The Suns are 11th in turnovers per contest with 15.1. The Suns give up 113.3 points per game, which ranks them 20th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 23rd and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 23.9 dimes allowed per game and 8th with 43.7 boards surrendered per contest. The Suns are 27th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.4, and their defensive rating of 105.1 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 8th. As a team they are 9th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league. Toronto is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 12th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 9th in the league. The Suns are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 111.2 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 9th in the league with 101.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 21st. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league.

Who will win tonight's Raptors/Suns NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Phoenix +5.5

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