The Raptors' peculiar start to the season has them at 1-5. Yet they continue to draw small numbers, including for today’s road matchup against the Suns. Expect the veteran Raptors to finally rise to the challenge, as they’ve defeated the Suns in six straight matchups. Take the moneyline.

The Raptors have fallen. Their rating keeps dropping after every game as they've gone 1-5 SU and ATS. They’re last in shooting percentage at 41 percent, and their defense has been lacking as well. Phoenix has become Chris Paul’s team, and he knows how to win games, slow it down, play defense (No. 1 scoring defense) and get covers nightly. He led Oklahoma City to the best cover percentage last season. The Suns are on a mission, while the Raptors are having no fun and have no answers. Phoenix gets the home cover.

The Suns lead the NBA in ATS margin, covering by an average of 7.5 points, while the Raptors are dead last at minus-7.6. Toronto's lone win came against the Knicks. Coach Nick Nurse is criticizing his players, and the Raptors really miss Serge Ibaka. Back Phoenix to improve to 16-3 ATS in its last 19 games dating to last season.

The Raptors have not played well out of the gate, losing five of six games. They even lost by 12 points to a Celtics team that played without both Marcus Smart and Jeff Teague. Meanwhile, the Suns have looked much improved with Chris Paul in the fold and have already posted quality wins over the Mavericks, Jazz, Pelicans and Nuggets. Look for them to extend the Raptors’ struggles.

Toronto (1-5 ATS) simply isn't a good team right now as it shoots a league-low 41.2 percent. Pascal Siakam developed into a superstar last season before going into a funk in the bubble, and he really hasn't come out of it. "Right now, we have no swagger to us," Kyle Lowry said following Monday's loss to Boston. The Suns, meanwhile, have the second-best point differential in the West and are on an extra day of rest. They have been a remarkable ATS bet since the bubble in covering 15 of their past 18.