1U Gary Trent Jr. (TOR) over 18.5 points (-115) available at DraftKings and BetMGM Sportsbooks at time of publishing. Still available at that number and price. 

Gary Trent Jr. is simply a guy I like to bet on, I won't hide it. He has been good to me over the years when given ample opportunity and in tonight's matchup he should have just that. Starting small forward, and hot trade commodity, OG Anunoby will be out tonight leaving 36+ minutes on the wing and around 14 shots to be filled. Trent Jr., who had been benched earlier in the season, has averaged 37.0 MPG in the month of January so far with 35 or more minutes in each of his last 8 contests. His minutes floor in this spot should be rather secure and his ceiling is into the 40's. He also already takes 16 FGA per game this month and is more than willing to increase that volume.

This 18.5 line is a number Trent Jr. has topped in 22/31 games with 30 or more minutes this season for an average of 21.4 PPG. In games with 35 or more minutes (21-game sample) he has averaged 16.7 FGA with at least 14 FGA in 19 of those games. Trent Jr. has already faced off against Phoenix this season and he torched them for 35 points. Fred Vanvleet was out for that game leaving Trent Jr. with more ball-handling duties, but the shots he got were fantastic looks and ones that can be replicated. He also faced Phoenix last season with FVV playing but Anunoby was out. Gary dropped 42 on them. The Suns allow the 4th most PPG to opposing SG this season and the 2nd most over the last 15 games. During those last 15 games they have become more exposable from behind the 3-point arc, allowing the 5th most 3PM/game to SG. On the season they have limited volume well but still allow the 10th highest 3P% and rank just 7th percentile defending spot-up shooters. Trent Jr. was able to drill 4 of his 11 hoists from deep in that first matchup, seeing open looks that didn't fall as well. 

Trent Jr. is much more than just a range shooter, however. He has done a great job over the years developing his handles and off the dribble playmaking abilities. As a result, Trent Jr. is averaging a career-high percentage of his points from in the paint (28.6%), at the foul-line (16.0%), and in transition (20.2%.) He has a nice mid-range game that he can get to off pin-downs, hand-offs, or in the PnR where he gets a handful of reps a game. His ability to get inside the paint to gain rhythm when his shot isn't falling has helped his consistency as a scorer, and when his shot is falling, he now has versatility to his game by being able to consistently and effectively attack closeouts. This is a plus matchup for the Raptors wing and with trade rumors swirling they may use Anunoby's absence to boost the value of other assets they have. Getting a line that he has crushed with playing time and against this team is enticing to me, and I look for a strong outing from Gary Trent Jr. tonight in a game with a spread of only 1 point.