Travel, injuries, and previous games all play an intriguing part when trying to handicap the Golden State / Toronto 1/13 NBA free pick. The Warriors may or may not have Stephen Curry in the lineup as he has missed the last two contests with an ankle injury. That would seemingly be an advantage to the Raptors – except for the fact that their star guard Kyle Lowry is doubtful Saturday with a tailbone injury. The edge shifts back to Golden State then, right? Well, they’ll be playing in their second game in as many nights traveling to Toronto after last night’s win in Milwaukee.That’s a lot to digest for one game.
Golden State Listed as -4.5 Favorites
As has been the case with every single game this season, the Warriors are once again favored on Saturday night in Toronto. The line for the 1/13 NBA free pick has actually gone up from a GS -3.5 open but the ‘Dubs’ were likely going to be favored even with Kyle Lowry in the lineup for the Raptors. Golden State is 18-3 on the road this year and have won 11 straight away from the Oracle.
Stephen Curry is probable for Saturday which is obviously a big boost for the Warriors offense. They put up 120+ points in the four games Curry tried returning from his ankle injury starting January 3rd. The Warriors have scored 110 or less in 8 of the 13 games Curry has missed since December 6th. With Curry or not, Golden State of course has the offense to get the win even on a back-to-back situation. The Dubs rank 1st in points/game, field goal percentage, three point shooting, and field goal percent.
How will Stephen Curry look in his return vs. the Raptors? That and more in our game-day capsule: https://t.co/H25WqeRuud
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) January 13, 2018
Toronto’s Impressive Home Record is Up to a Test
It’s traditionally a tough visit to the Air Canada Centre and this year is no different as the Raptors are 15-2 at home on the year. One of those losses did come without Lowry however, an 89-90 defeat at the hands of the Heat on Tuesday night. Interestingly enough in Toronto’s only other home loss this year, Lowry was ejected in the 2nd quarter for arguing with referees in a loss to the Wizards.
The Toronto bench can pick up the slack in Lowry’s absence for the 1/13 NBA free pick, especially against a Warriors team that played in Milwaukee last night. Four Raptors players scored in double figures off the bench in a 133-99 home win over Cleveland on Thursday night. That impressive showing – without Toronto’s star point guard – is likely why 60% of bettors are backing the home team on Saturday night.
#TorontoRaptors vs Golden State Warriors tonight, are the Raptors the new beast of the East we will find out tonight.
Kyle Lowry #NBAVote
DeMar DeRozan #NBAVote— Reginald (@Reg43492590) January 13, 2018
1/13 NBA Free Pick Betting
Yes the Warriors are playing on the second leg of back-to-back road tilts – in another country nonetheless. That being said don’t downplay the importance of Stephen Curry’s return, not only for the offense but as a way to invigorate the Warriors teammates. Toronto had a great showing against Cleveland the last game, but the Cavs are in a free fall having lost three of the last four. The Warriors are 7-3 ATS their last 10 road games and a large part of Toronto’s impressive record comes from beating up on the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are just 1-4 ATS their last five vs the West and that trend continues in the 1/13 NBA free pick.
Pick: Golden State Warriors -4.5
