Raptors vs Suns Odds & Picks: Phoenix Seeks Yet Another Cover Against Toronto

The league-leading Suns (53-13 SU, 35-31 ATS) have covered 14 of their last 17 meetings with the Raptors and seven of the last eight in the desert. Phoenix opened as a 5.5-point favorite for Friday’s meeting with Toronto, which is just 2-6 ATS in its last eight outings.

Raptors vs Suns Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

Oddsmakers opened the line just a point higher than what the Suns were favored by when they visited Toronto in January, failing to cover as 4.5-point favorites in a 99-95 victory. The majority of early Raptors vs Suns predictions seemed to be on Phoenix, moving the Suns to 6-point favorites by the time of writing.

Get the best Raptors vs Suns odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Raptors Offense Gets Back On Track With VanVleet’s Return From Injury

After struggling offensively without Fred VanVleet in the lineup, the Raptors got back on track Wednesday when the star guard returned from a knee injury. VanVleet led Toronto with 26 points in a 119-104 romp over the Spurs, the second-most points the Raps have scored over the past month.

In addition to recording his highest-scoring outing since early February, VanVleet’s return also allowed Scottie Barnes to move back to the wing where he scored 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Pascal Siakam also had 20 and two other Raptors had at least 13 in the balanced scoring effort.

Despite that improved offensive performance, Toronto still went UNDER the total for the fifth straight game and eighth time in its last 10 outings. The Raptors have also gone UNDER the total in 13 of their last 18 on the road.

Suns Have Booker Back But Remain Without Several Other Key Contributors

The Suns got half of their all-star backcourt back in the lineup Wednesday as Devin Booker returned after missing four games due to COVID health and safety protocols. Booker showed no signs of rust from the layoff, recording 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in Phoenix’s 111-90 win over Miami that clinched a playoff spot for the Suns.

Potentially without all-world point guard Chris Paul for the rest of the regular season, Phoenix will also be missing shooting guard Cameron Johnson for the fourth straight game tonight due to a quad contusion. Center Frank Kaminsky is also still sidelined for the Suns, who have won 16 of their last 20 games but covered just one of their last five at home and two of their last seven overall.

Raptors vs Suns Pick & Insights

Raptors: Keys To Cover

Although the Raptors are just 2-6 ATS in their last eight, they were favorites or small dogs in most of those games. Toronto has been an underdog of 6 points or more just twice since December 26, covering both of those games. Meanwhile, the short-handed Suns have struggled to cover lately when favored by more than a couple of baskets, going 3-6 ATS in their last nine as chalk of 6-plus points.

Suns: Keys To Cover

Booker’s return is obviously a huge boost to the Suns, but Deandre Ayton’s size against the smaller Raptors frontcourt could also be key to a Phoenix cover being the right Raptors vs Suns prediction. Toronto hasn’t matched up well with the Suns for years, covering just three of the last 17 meetings and one of its last eight visits to the desert.

Odds Shark’s Computer Raptors vs Suns Prediction: Suns -5

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