Raptors vs Clippers Picks and Predictions: Toronto Continues to Fire On All Cyinders

The Toronto Raptors are hunting a fifth straight win tonight, in their second straight game at Crypto.com Arena, this time taking on the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Raps soundly stomped LeBron James and the Lakers on Monday night and now will go for the Los Angeles sweep. Toronto is a slight road favorite going against a strong defensive Clippers team. Can the Raps make it six in a row, or are the Clippers a live-home underdog?

Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Raptors vs. Clippers on March 16.

Raptors vs Clippers odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Raptors opened this matchup as 2.5-point road chalk but it’s the Clippers who have seen the early action, moving the line to as low as 1 at some shops. The total hit the board at 218.5 and it has been mostly Under money to this point with the number sitting at 215.5 as of Wednesday afternoon.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Raptors vs Clippers predictions

• Prediction: Raptors -1 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 215.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Siakam Over 22.5 points (-105)

Predictions made on 3/16/2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Raptors vs Clippers game info

• Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2022
• Tip-off: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: Sportsnet

Raptors vs Clippers betting preview

Key injuries

Raptors: Fred VanVleet PG (Questionable), OG Anunoby SF (Questionable), Malachi Flynn PG (Out).
Clippers: Paul George SF (Out), Norm Powell SF (Out), Kawhi Leonard SF (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Under is 5-0 in the Raptors’ last five games as a favorite and 5-1 in the Clippers' last six games when facing a team with a winning straight-up record. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Clippers.

Raptors vs Clippers picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

The Raptors have been an incredibly hard team to figure out lately. 

They went into the All-Star break playing well. But then Fred VanVleet got hurt and they came out of the break flat, losing five of seven which included losses to the Pistons and Magic. Fred got healthy, and he and Pascal Siakam have since found their old rhythm, with Toronto winning four in a row, straight up and against the spread.

Now, they’ll face a Clippers team that can really get after it defensively, but since they are still without their star power, continue to be a terribly inconsistent bunch on offense. So, who has the edge with a spread so small?

For starters, keep an eye on the status of VanVleet. He’s listed as questionable for this one but his impact on the Raptors' offense is paramount. In the four games since his return (he did sit out the Denver game to rest), the Raptors have averaged 119.3 points per game. In the first seven games out of the break, they were averaging just 104.9.

While the Raptors' offense stalled out of the All-Star break, they didn’t let their defense slip and rank ninth in defensive rating in the 11 games since.

The Clippers are 6-4 since the break but have benefited from playing some subpar opponents (five of those wins came against the Lakers and Rockets). While the defense is solid, it ranks behind the Raptors during that 10-game span. 

If VanVleet plays — with the way Siakam and rookie Scottie Barnes are performing as of late, it will be hard for the Clippers to win this one.

Prediction: Raptors -1 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

When it comes to the total, the Under has been hit hard and it’s not difficult to see why.

The Raptors' offense has been playing better of late, and the Clippers' defense should put up a good fight here. L.A. ranks 11th in defensive rating over its last 10 games, giving up just 108.2 points per contest. The Raptors meanwhile, face a Clippers offense that is averaging just 96.7 points per game over the last 10 games. 

When you consider the Clippers and Raptors rank 24th and 28th respectively in effective field goal percentage and rank in the bottom third of the NBA in pace of play, then it’s no wonder why many are leaning towards the Under. And so are we.

Prediction: Under 215.5 (-110)

Best bet

While Fred VanVleet is the engine that makes the Raptors offense go, the two-man game he has formed with Pascal Siakam is something to behold. 

That said, you can’t take anything away from the way Spicy P has played by himself recently. He has topped 20 points in seven straight games, averaging 27.3 points. He’s also adding 7.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game over that span.

On top of that, Siakam has played some good defensive teams over that stretch, including the Cavaliers, Suns, and Nuggets, going over the 22.5 points in each of those matchups. In fact, he’s gone Over that number in six of those seven matchups. Bet on Pascal to stay hot in this one.

Pick: Pascal Siakam Over 22.5 points (-105)

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