Toronto-raptors vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions April 3rd 2025

Trail Blazers vs Raptors: Play-In Hopes on Thin Ice

With the regular season winding down and every win carrying postseason weight, the Portland Trail Blazers find themselves clinging to playoff hope by a thread. A convincing 127-113 victory over the Atlanta Hawks gave them a pulse, but the margin for error is virtually nonexistent.

Now, they head to Toronto for a must-win game against a Raptors team that has officially been eliminated from playoff contention—but still has pride, shooters, and youth development on its mind.

Portland enters the game with a 33-43 record, 3.5 games back of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. It’s not impossible, but the path is razor-thin.

Need to understand how the Western Conference standings shake out? One loss could be the difference between a shot at redemption or early vacation.

Big Nights From Avdija and Sharpe: Can They Do It Again?

Deni Avdija came to play against Atlanta. The forward racked up a monster triple-double—32 points, 15 boards, and 10 dimes—and was the best player on the court, even with seven turnovers.

It was his second career triple-double and a showcase of his versatility. From scoring inside to orchestrating the offense, Avdija played with poise and purpose—exactly what coach Chauncey Billups needed from a core contributor.

That kind of performance doesn’t happen every night, but if Avdija can come anywhere close to replicating it, the Blazers are in business.

Want to see more rising stars breaking out this season? Avdija could enter that conversation if he finishes strong.

Sharpe’s Scoring Explosion

Not to be outdone, Shaedon Sharpe dropped 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds of his own. He’s looking more and more like a go-to option in key stretches, especially when the Blazers need buckets fast.

His ability to attack the rim and knock down shots from deep makes him a matchup problem—especially for a Toronto defense that just gave up 137 points to the Bulls.

Raptors Officially Out, But Still a Threat

The Raptors may be out of the race, but they aren’t folding. Despite a 137-118 loss to Chicago, Toronto is still running hard in transition, knocking down threes, and playing spoiler.

Toronto hit 20 triples in that game—including eight in the first quarter alone. So yeah, the shooting’s still there. But the defense? That’s another story.

Chicago shot nearly 57% from the field, outrebounded the Raptors by 14, and seemed to get anything they wanted. That’s not the kind of effort coach Darko Rajakovic wants from his team.

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Ja’Kobe Walter and Immanuel Quickley Leading the Youth Movement

Quickley continues to show promise as a point guard, putting up 17 points and 9 assists against the Bulls. Rookie Ja’Kobe Walter also added 17 points and looks confident from beyond the arc.

Even if the season is winding down, players like Quickley, Walter, and Gradey Dick are getting extended run—and playing with fire. They’ll be looking to outshine Portland’s young guns and defend their home floor.

If you’re scouting for next year’s most improved breakout players, don’t sleep on Toronto’s youngsters.

Strategy Breakdown: What Each Team Needs to Do

For the Trail Blazers

• Push the pace: Toronto’s transition defense is suspect. Billups should be looking for early offense.
• Dominate the glass: Portland out-rebounded Atlanta 54-45. They need to control the boards again.
• Keep the pressure on D: Holding Atlanta to 21.9% from three was huge. Raptors will test that with their shooters.

For the Raptors

• Disrupt with defense: They want to play “on the attack,” as coach Rajakovic said. It starts with pressure on the perimeter.
• Share the scoring load: Walter, Quickley, and RJ Barrett need to space the floor and stay aggressive.
• Win the 3-point battle: Toronto went 20-for-45 from deep in their last game. That’s their blueprint.

Momentum Watch: Blazers Must Stay Perfect

If Portland wants to sneak into the play-in, they almost have to win out—and even that might not be enough. But winning this game is the bare minimum.

A loss here, to a non-playoff team, likely ends their season. That kind of urgency can either lift a team to new heights—or break them down.

And if you’re following other teams in the race like the Warriors or Lakers, you’ll know the West doesn’t give anyone an easy path.

FAQs

How far are the Trail Blazers from a play-in spot?
Portland is currently 3.5 games out, meaning they need to win and get help from teams ahead of them.

Who were the standouts in Portland’s last win?
Deni Avdija had a triple-double, and Shaedon Sharpe poured in 33 points with 10 rebounds.

Are the Raptors playing their full lineup?
Mostly younger players are getting minutes as Toronto evaluates its future pieces.

What’s Portland’s key to beating Toronto?
Control the tempo, dominate the boards, and limit Toronto’s three-point shooting.

Is this the first Blazers-Raptors matchup of the season?
Yes, this is their first meeting, adding a bit of mystery to the game plan.

Will this game affect playoff positioning?
For Portland, absolutely. A loss could effectively end their postseason chances.

Final Word: Win or Go Home Vibes for Portland

This game is do-or-die for Portland. With playoff hopes flickering, the Blazers need to bring intensity from tip to buzzer. Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe are coming off huge performances, and they’ll need more of the same to escape Toronto with a win.

The Raptors? They’re playing with nothing to lose—always a dangerous vibe. They can shoot, they run the floor, and they’ve got young guys who want to prove they belong.