The Raptors may still be trying to tank, but they keep winning or covering, and that trend will continue vs. the Trail Blazers tonight.
Eric Rosales • Betting Analyst
Mar 16, 2025 • 12:49 ET • 4 min read
If the Toronto Raptors aren’t careful, their tank job might end up with them in the Eastern Conference Play-In.
Toronto will look for its fourth straight win when it visits the Portland Trail Blazers, marking the ninth straight sub-.500 opponent the Raptors have played.
Our Raptors vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks think the visitors are getting a few too many points against a team that has lost five in a row on Sunday, March 16.
Raptors vs Trail Blazers prediction
My Raptors pick: Raptors +7.5 (-105 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
The Toronto Raptors dusted the Utah Jazz 126-118 last time out, giving the team six wins in seven games while going 6-1-0 against the spread. They’ve pulled to within four games of the Chicago Bulls for 10th in the East — even though this is not the plan.
The Raptors again selectively picked pieces off its roster, with Jakob Poeltl sitting due to rest, and Chris Boucher sitting out his eighth straight as a coach’s decision. Brandon Ingram (ankle) has yet to even come close to seeing the floor with his new team.
But management’s plan to tank and secure the best draft pick possible isn’t working, as their replacement players are playing well.
Scottie Barnes had 20 points and 10 rebounds, a point total matched by Immanuel Quickley while RJ Barrett had 17. But four other Raps finished in double-digit scoring, including Colin Castleton (13), Orlando Robinson (14), AJ Lawson (18), and Jamal Shead (11).
The merry-go-round injured list shows Ja’Kobe Walter (hip) and Quickley (rest) out vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, while Jonathan Mogbo (nose), Ochai Agbaji (ankle) and Barrett (illness) are all questionable. Shead (shoulder) is probable.
Portland has been bleeding points during its skid, which reached five games with a 114-113 OT loss to the New York Knicks. Portland has allowed a whopping 119.6 points per game, with opponents shooting 48.3% from the field and 41.1% from 3-point range.
They’re far from healthy, too, with Jabari Walker (concussion) ruled out, with Jerami Grant (knee) listed as doubtful and Anfernee Simons (hand) and Robert Williams III (knee) listed as questionable.
These teams are a bettor’s dream for cross-conference play: Toronto is a league best 18-5-0 ATS against the West, while Portland is tops against East teams at 17-5-0 ATS.
However, that’s before this musical chairs game of tanking truly commenced. What we do know is Barnes is legitimately the best player on the floor in this game, and his backups are better than Portland’s.
Despite its poor road record, Toronto is one of the best cover teams on the highway, going 18-13-0 against the spread. Hang another one in the Raptors’ reverse tanking run.
Raptors vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay
Poeltl checks back into the Raptors’ lineup after sitting out vs. Utah, and his rebounding game has been a little off, failing to hit eight rebounds in six of his last eight games.
However, he’s been consistently strong against Western foes of late. In his last 10 games against the opposing conference, Poeltl has grabbed at least eight rebounds in nine of them.
Anfernee Simons was limited to six points on 2-for-11 shooting against the Knicks as he deals with a hand injury.
Before that though, Simons was on fire, touching 30 points in four of his previous five. He’s also hit the 20-point plateau in two of the last three against the Raptors.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Trail Blazers odds
Raptors vs Trail Blazers live odds
Raptors vs Trail Blazers opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +5 (-110) | Portland -5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Toronto +170 | Portland -205
- Over/Under: Over 231.5 (-110) | Under 231.5 (-110)
Raptors vs Trail Blazers spread and Over/Under analysis
- In their last six games as an underdog, the Raptors are 4-2-0 against the spread.
- Portland is 5-4-0 ATS as a favorite this year.
- The Trail Blazers have gone Under the total in three of their last four.
- The Under has cashed in three of the last four head-to-head matchups.
Raptors vs Trail Blazers trend
Portland’s last four games as a favorite have gone Over the total. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Trail Blazers.
How to watch Raptors vs Trail Blazers
Location Moda Center, Portland, OR Date Sunday, 3-16-2025 Tip-off 6:00 p.m. ET TV SN
Raptors vs Trail Blazers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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