The Toronto Raptors 2020-21 season is officially underway, but they are looking for their first victory of the season on Saturday night. The Raptors will head out on the road to take on the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on Dec. 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Toronto is listed as slight favorites heading into the game.
Before we dive in to the betting odds ahead of the day’s matchup, let’s take a look at the Raptors’ season opener with a quick preview of the contest in San Antonio.
Raptors Drop Game 1
The NBA began this season with a doubleheader on Tuesday, Dec. 22, and the other 26 teams played their first game the following day on Wednesday, Dec. 23. The Raptors were defeated by the New Orleans Pelicans 113-99.
At least to start the season, the Toronto Raptors will be playing their home games at a temporary home arena, Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues. There were about 3,800 spectators who attended this game.
The Raptors failed to cover the spread in their season opener as four-point favorites, and the under hit with the point total set at 229.5. The Pelicans cashed in at +138 odds on the moneyline.
Raptors power forward Pascal Siakam was the Raptors’ leading scorer with 20 points. He made 8 of 17 attempts shooting from the floor, including 3 of 7 from three-point range with six rebounds and six assists. Kyle Lowry finished with a double-double with 18 points with 10 assists. He led the team with four 3-pointers on nine attempts, though he turned the ball over six times.
Brandon Ingram led the New Orleans scorers with 24 points, and JJ Redick added 23 off the bench with six 3-pointers. Eric Bledsoe scored 18 points, Lonzo Ball added 16 and Zion Williamson put up 15 points in the victory.
The loss ended the Raptors’ seven-game winning streak in season openers.
Game preview
The Raptors will look for their first win of the season, and to bring their early-season record to .500 at 1-1, going up against the Spurs. In its last time out, San Antonio put together an impressive offensive performance, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 131-119 on the road on Wednesday night.
Seven Spurs players scored in double digits with DeMar DeRozan leading the team with 28 points. On the other side, Ja Morant put up 44 points on 18 of 27 shooting from the floor.
San Antonio is 1-0 but finished just 32-39 overall last season including 19-15 on its home floor, while the Raptors went 27-9 on the road last year.
The Spurs have a pair of players on the injury report with Quinndary Weatherspoon (knee) and Derrick White (toe) not available to play. For the Raptors, Patrick McCaw is out with a knee issue.
Toronto Raptors vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Odds
Sportsbooks have plenty of options for bettors to choose from as we get closer to Saturday night’s tip off. All odds are via a popular United States sportsbook.
Spread, Total, Moneyline
Like their season opener on Wednesday night, the Raptors are slight favorites going into this game, though the odds are expecting it to be a little closer. Toronto checks in favored by two points on the road. For the over/under, the number is set at 228. The Raptors are getting -130 odds on the moneyline with the Spurs at +110 to win this game outright.
The first-half lines favor Toronto by one point, with the point total at 115.5. The Raptors have -129 odds to be leading at the half with the Spurs at +102.
Team/Player Props
Oddsmakers set the Raptors’ team total at 114.5 points, and have the Spurs projected at 113.5 points.
To be the first player to score in the game, LaMarcus Aldridge, DeRozan, Lowry and Siakam all lead at +600 odds.
