by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Dec 13, 2021
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Where to watch: TSN, NBC Sports California
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Raptors -4.5
BetMGM: Raptors -4.5
Caesars: NL
Season record
Kings: 11-16 (10th place, Western Conference)
Raptors: 12-14 (11th place, Eastern Conference)
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Kings - Raptors preview and analysis
I’m liking the Toronto Raptors to close their seven-game homestand strong on Monday when they host the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
The Raptors will be favored for the sixth straight game, having gone 3-2 against the spread in that stint. Toronto is coming off a 3-point win against the New York Knicks on Friday while covering the 1.5 points they gave up.
It’s fun but weird to watch the Raptors play because they’re a weird team. If Pascal Siakam has an off shooting night – like he did against the Knicks, going 3 of 18 from the floor – it’s a spin-the-wheel game of “Who can contribute on this night?”
Toronto had all five starters score in double figures, led by Gary Trent Jr.’s team-high 24 points while making five 3-pointers, and the Raptors overcame a stellar night on defense from the Knicks to edge out the victory.
“When there are an extraordinary amount of teaching moments, especially in the effort and energy area, that’s the problem to me,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “We’ve got to get done coaching those things pretty soon. This is the NBA. These games are hard.”
The Raptors are 4-8 against the spread after a win this season, but off wins between 1-4 points, Toronto is 3-0. Defense has gotten it done for the Raptors; they’re allowing only 95.6 points per game over the last five. The problem has been on offense, with Toronto scoring only 97.8.
In hindsight, those numbers don’t looks promising with the Kings coming to town. Sacramento has scored nearly 120 points over the last five games; the problem with the Kings is they’re giving up 117 at the other end. Case in point was Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers when the Kings gave up 81 points in the first half.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, the Cavs scored only 36 points in the second half and the Kings lost by 14.
“It was an ugly first half and our transition defense was atrocious,” interim head coach Alvin Gentry said. “But hey, we’re not quitters. We’re going to keep battling our butts off to get through this. I can promise you that.”
It’s not like the Kings have fallen off a cliff since firing Luke Walton back in late November. It’s just the last three games have left a lot to be desired. The Kings have covered two of the last three, but have allowed 130, 124 and 117 points in those games.
Buddy Hield had a team-high 21 points and made four of the Kings’ seven total 3-pointers. The starters combined to go 0-for-10 from deep.
Make no mistake: Sacramento is better off than anticipated and would be in a playoff spot today if the season ended today. But they’ve got to clear that side of the ball up in a hurry.
Prediction
The Raptors are playing the first game of a back-to-back with the Brooklyn Nets on the horizon. Normally this would be a look-ahead game, but quite the opposite in this situation. The Raptors want to close the homestand strong and this is the perfect opportunity to ensure the offense is in a good place before hitting the one-off road trip. Raptors by 10
Betting trends
The Kings are 1-6 ATS this season after a non-conference game.
The Kings are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 off one day of rest.
The Raptors are 0-5 ATS in their last five home games against a team with a losing record.
The Raptors are 37-44 ATS in the last three seasons at home.
Projected starting lineup
Kings:
PG: De’Aaron Fox
SG: Tyrese Haliburton
SF: Terence Davis
PF: Harrison Barnes
C: Tristan Thompson
SF: Terence Davis
PF: Harrison Barnes
C: Tristan Thompson
Raptors:
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: Gary Trent Jr.
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Chris Boucher
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Chris Boucher
Key injuries
Kings: Richaun Holmes (eye, out)
Raptors: Precious Achiuwa (shoulder, out), OG Anunoby (hip, out), Khem Birch (knee, out), Goran Dragic (personal, out)
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
