Toronto comes into this one off a solid win over the Sacramento Kings just last night. Norman Powell, Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam were all getting to their spots and scoring each time down the floor in crunch time.
The defensive stops were not coming, but the baskets sure were. And now, when they get Fred VanVleet back, they will be at full strength for the first time in quite a long while as injuries have plagued them all year long.
Utah, on the other hand, has won five in a row since losing five in a row, as they are a team that is very hard to put a label on. They can get hot and then go ice cold in the snap of a finger. Since moving Joe Ingles back into a bench role, the winning has continued.
And he is basically one of six starters on the team that rotates in for one another, alternating with Mike Conley Jr. this year. They have some fantastic positional versatility from positions one through four.
Utah is a four-point favorite on its home floor this evening. The over/under is set at 224.
Toronto looking to pick up 46th win
If there was ever a miracle opportunity to somehow pass the Bucks and move into the top seed for the Raptors, it would be now. And the chances of this happening are slim to none, but with the Bucks struggling and Giannis out this week, they could pick a few games up in the standings.
The performances they are getting from Norman Powell, who only played 10 to 15 minutes a night in the postseason, are simply astounding. He’s scoring 30 at will, with Kyle Lowry not far behind him. They also have an All-NBA performer in Pascal Siakam, plus 48 minutes of elite defense from the center spot.
They are a fantastic group to watch for their continuity and teamwork. They are the dictionary definition of “playing like a team” and for one another before themselves.
Jazz go for six in a row
This is going to be a thrilling performance, and this team should be ready for it. They have done their part in beating the lower-tier teams, and are holding their own against the best. One of the best moves we’ve seen them make came at the deadline this year when they brought in Jordan Clarkson from the Cavs.
He was a hot commodity, and they struck a crucial deal. He’s been a fantastic addition to the bench and proving that he can score at will when the team needs it. He, Ingles, Niang and Tony Bradley are doing more than enough in their roles off the bench.
And they have two All-Stars in Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert anchoring them on each respective side on the floor.
Toronto wins a close one
Bet on the Canadian underdogs. A good win is coming for Toronto, as they end Utah’s winning streak.
Free Play: TOR +4
