Sixers Looking To Snap Skid on Road against Raptors
The Philadelphia 76ers (2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS, 1-5 O/U) have lost three consecutive games while failing to cover the spread in the BetUS Sportsbook each time! The Toronto Raptors (4-3 SU, 4-3 ATS, 3-4 O/U) have dropped two of their last three games straight up but have covered the spread in two straight.
Both teams will be looking for a win tonight as the Raptors host the Sixers at Air Canada Centre tonight.
Philadelphia have lost the last three times out, falling on Tuesday, 93-80 at home to the Utah Jazz. While struggling all season long despite predictions of excellence on most nights after acquiring perennial all-star power forward Elton Brand.
“It’s a disappointing start,” Brand said. “We have to fight through it.”
Andre Miller scored 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting from the field in the loss but Brand added just 13 on 6-for-13 shooting from the field. Brand, a 20-point per game career scorer, has scored just 31 points over his last three games.
Andre Iguodala, the Sixers’ leading scorer last season, has also struggled at the start of the season, scoring just 11.6 points per game on 39 percent shooting from the field.
“It’s not just about people fitting into Elton’s hands, but it’s Elton trying to fit in with our guys more too,” Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said. “Andre (Iguodala) is not going out there just thinking about fitting in with Elton. Everyone is trying to get in sync. We need to have a rhythm offensively.”
After opening the season with a positive 3-0 start, the Raptors have dropped two of their last three including a disheartening 94-87 road loss to the Boston Celtics but are positive about their play so far.
Despite losing to the Celtics, who put on a furious fourth-quarter rally, the Raptors say they are feeling good about themselves.
“We had them on the ropes, we just couldn’t deliver the knockout blow,” O’Neal told his team’s official Web site. “We’ve got to feel good about our position. We know we’re going to get better.”
Jermaine O’Neal scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds but leading scorer Chris Bosh scored just nine points on 3-for-8 shooting from the field.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.
The 76ers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
The 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Raptors are 35-16 ATS in their last 51 Wednesday games.
The Raptors are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Under is 6-0 in 76ers last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
The Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 vs. NBA Atlantic.
The Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Toronto.
The Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
The 76ers are 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Toronto.
NBA Odds
Philadelphia 76ers +5½ -110
Toronto raptors -5½ -110
Over 185½ -110
Under 185½ -110
Analysis: While the Sixers are going to put forth a solid effort tonight as they look to snap their current losing streak, I like the Raptors to cover this spread by the slimmest of margins. The fact of the matter is that the Raptors are going to be more than fired up for Philly after their frustrating loss to Boston on Monday. I also like the over in this matchup as neither team is what I’d call a defensive juggernaut.
