Raptors vs. Warriors Best Bets for Friday: Toronto Looks To Stay Hot Against .500 Golden State (Archive)
NBA Pick: Over 234.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
It’s East vs. West as two teams on the playoff fringe meet in the Bay Area on Friday night. The Toronto Raptors are 22-27 on the year but just a half-game out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. They need to leapfrog an extra team since the Wizards and Bulls are currently tied for the No. 10 spot.
The Raptors will continue their seven-game Western Conference swing with game number two of the trip when they face Golden State. The Warriors are in the ninth spot in the West but just a game out of being on the outside looking in. So, can the NBA odds tell us about tonight? Let’s find out.
Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors
Friday, January 27, 2023 – 10:00 PM EST at Chase Center
Streaky Toronto
The Raptors have won back-to-back games this week, finishing their homestand on Sunday with a nine-point win over the Knicks, then winning at Sacramento to get the road trip started right. Toronto hopes that this is the start of a hot streak. It’s certainly possible considering the Raptors’ recent history.
Over the last 23 games, Toronto has had a single win or loss just three times, with every other game part of a streak of at least two straight in one direction or the other. They lost five in a row in December, followed a three-game losing streak with a three-game win streak to open January, and had a three-game skid heading into their two straight wins this week.
It would help to keep the wins rolling at the start of what will be a grueling trip. Of the seven road games, five will be against teams currently holding a Western Conference Playoff spot. The Raptors already beat the Kings, and after the Warriors, they still have visits to Memphis, Utah, and Phoenix, as well as non-playoff teams Portland and Houston, before returning home.
It's also not clear how the team will look by the time it returns to Canada. The Raptors are heavily involved in trade rumors heading into next week’s deadline. They’ve been linked with Golden State in talks of a blockbuster deal involving Draymond Green and Pascal Siakam. Toronto’s OG Anunoby is also reportedly on the block.
Anunoby’s ankle is also adding more drama to his current status with the Raptors. He missed the second half of Saturday’s game after jamming it and sat out Sunday’s game against the best bet to land him in a trade next week—New York. He was able to play on Wednesday, however, scoring 20 points in 31 minutes.
Win One Lose One
The Warriors enter Friday’s game at .500, 24-24 on the year. They’re tied with Phoenix and Minnesota for the seven-eight-nine spots in the playoff picture and are a half-game ahead of the tenth-place Jazz. In total, seven teams, ranging from No. 7 to No. 13 are separated by a game and a half, so every game can cause large movements in the standings.
Golden State has lived up to their .500 record lately, alternating wins and losses for the last eight games. They beat Memphis by two in their last game, so if the pattern holds, Toronto may have something to smile about on Friday.
The Warriors are battling injury as they head into the Toronto game. Andre Iguodala, who has been limited to just three games this season, has already been ruled out with right hip soreness. He last played two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins is questionable for the game with a non-COVID illness that kept him out of Wednesday’s contest. There are no reports that the illness has spread through the locker room to other teammates.
The Picks
The Warriors will have star guard Steph Curry back after he suffered a rare ejection for throwing his mouthpiece in frustration on Wednesday night. Golden State was able to hold on without him to beat a strong Memphis team, and the Warriors should be able to defend the home court against the Raptors on Friday. Golden State’s last eight games have all produced at least 234 total points, so for your second NBA pick look for the game to hit over as well.
And don't forget that Golden State locals can bet our NBA picks at any of these California betting sites.
NBA Pick: Over 234.5 (-110) at BetOnline
NBA Pick: Warriors -5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.