The Toronto Raptors find themselves in a rough stretch again as they visit the Washington Wizards, who have been doing well. With the latest news, stats, and injury reports, the Raptors are slight underdogs against the Wizards on the NBA betting odds. Will Toronto continue to snap out of its funk by beating a foe it usually does?
Toronto Raptors (21-21) vs Washington Wizards (23-22)
Wizards Have Not Run Out of Tricks
The Washington Wizards are showing some signs of life recently. Washington has won four of its last six games including a blowout over the Philadelphia 76ers. However, this team is still terrible on the spread as its win over Philadelphia is the only one the Wizards have covered in their last eight.
The strength of the Wizards comes from their second unit. Led by Montrezl Harrell, the Wizards are fifth in the NBA in bench scoring with 43.5 points in their last six. They have outscored their opponents in four straight games.
However, the Wizards’ starters leave much to be desired. Bradley Beal has not been as explosive returning from an absence while Kyle Kuzma has cooled off. If Beal or Kuzma can recapture their prolific form and the bench continues to produce, the Wizards are worth a bet online.
Raptors Lack Depth
And speaking of depth, Toronto does not have any. In the Raptors’ last five games, their bench has produced just 19.2 points, which is second-fewest in this span. The bench is also shooting just 37.8% from the field (25.7% from three) while averaging 3.3 turnovers to just 0.6 assists.
With the likes of Khem Birch and Gary Trent Jr. absent, Nick Nurse’s rotations have been so stringent that he’s elected to give Chris Boucher, once in his doghouse, plenty of running time. Fortunately, Toronto’s starting five has been potent.
Fred VanVleet over his last 9 games:
29.6 PPG
7.3 APG
4.6 RPG
2.0 SPG
46% FG
45% 3PT
93% FT
Toronto 7-2 #FredVanVleet #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/ingLqvIHsB— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 13, 2022
Led by Fred VanVleet, the Raptors’ starters average the second-most points for the season and are positive on the plus-minus (+1.2), ranking even higher than Brooklyn and Charlotte. It’s not ideal to be playing VanVleet and OG Anunoby for over 40 minutes a game but as they say, “you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
Toronto Raptors vs Washington Wizards Head to Head
| Toronto | Stat | Washington |
| 8-2 | Record | 2-8 |
| 4-5-1 | Point Spread | 5-4-1 |
| 6-4-0 | Over/Under | 6-4-0 |
| 119.4 | Average Score | 112.2 |
| 59.7 | Half Time | 53.8 |
Toronto Raptors vs Washington Wizards Game Information
- Date: January 21, 2022
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Capital One Arena
- Toronto Raptors vs Washington Wizards Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Toronto Raptors vs Washington Wizards Betting Lines
Toronto Raptors vs Washington Wizards Prediction
Between the Toronto Raptors’ robust starting five and the Washington Wizards’ depth, we’ll side with the former. Toronto has one of the best starters in the league and are mostly responsible for why the Raptors are 5-0 in their last five visits to Washington.
The Raptors’ bench may be depleted, but as long as Boucher keeps producing and a pair of starters stay on the floor, Toronto will have the edge. Toronto is 6-3-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last ten games as well, further cementing why they’re the right pick on the sportsbook.
Pick: Toronto Raptors +1 (-110)
There is plenty of firepower in store here. But the improving Raptors’ defense and fatigue may produce a low-scoring affair as has been the case for four of their last five road games. Toronto also gives Beal and the Wizards plenty of trouble with their size and physicality. Bet the ‘under.’
