Free NBA Pick: 76ers vs. Raptors NBA Odds
Looking for Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the 76ers taking on the Raptors on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022 at Scotiabank Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this 76ers Raptors matchup.
2022 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 1
(2-0) Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors (0-2)
Date: Wednesday, April 20th
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Bankers Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
NBA Moneyline Odds: 76ers -118 | Raptors +117 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: 76ers -2
NBA Betting Total: 216.5
Game three between the fourth-seed Philadelphia 76ers and fifth-seed Toronto Raptors moves north of the border on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022. The 76ers held court in Philly with a 112-97 victory in Game 2.
If the 76ers replicate their success on the road they could wrap up the series and potentially get some extra rest awaiting the winner of the Hawks – Heat series, albeit the Heat are also ahead 2-0 in that series.
Philadelphia 76ers
In Game 1, the 76ers and Joel Embiid in particular set the tone physically and in the process (no pun intended) upset Raptors head coach Nick Nurse who cited four elbows thrown by the big man at Raptors players’ heads.
Only one of those was penalized while the Raptors bench boss complained about touch fouls Toronto was assessed. In Game 2, the Raptors decided to take a different tactic and come out as the aggressors.
That led to Embiid taking as many free throws in the first frame as Toronto did the entire game (12) but the Raptors took a one-point lead into the second quarter.
Almost half of the Sixers’points (32) in the first quarter came at the line (14 of 15). While the whistle settled down Embiid did not as he showcased precisely why he is one of the three finalists for MVP.
In the opening match of the series, Embiid collected a double-double but shot an inefficient 5 of 15. On Monday, he showed off his skills scoring inside and out, collecting another double-double of 31 points and 11 rebounds.
All five 76ers starters scored in double-digits with Tyrese Maxey (23) and Tobias Harris (20) each performing well again.
Matisse Thybulle (COVID vaccination) is ineligible to play while Charles Bassey (shoulder) is out Wednesday.
Toronto Raptors
The narrative of this series has focused on the whistle with Nurse unhappy again about the seeming disparity. Not so much in the quantity but rather what constitutes a foul on one end not getting the same recognition on the other.
Toronto took six free throws in the opening frame, another four in the final 3:35 of the match, and was awarded only two more in the middle frames and first 8:25 of the fourth quarter.
Nurse cited an uncalled open-handed slap to the face but conceded the elbow headshots had stopped which might’ve been the real sideline topic of discussion between the Raptors coach and Sixers star.
The whistle sets the tone of a match and while the 30-12 Philly advantage wasn’t ideal there are bigger issues to fix. Toronto ranked ninth defensively (fifth after the All-Star break) but haven’t played to their identity yet.
Part of the issue is injuries with Gary Trent Jr. trying to play through an illness but having to leave 10 minutes into the match and the loss of rookie Scottie Barnes has had a palpable effect.
To compensate, Fred VanVleet played the entire first half (44 minutes total) with 20 points, seven assists, four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
Pascal Siakam registered a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds plus five assists. OG Anunoby has sparkled through two games scoring 20 and 26 points. Chris Boucher offered 17 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Gary Trent Jr. (flu) is questionable while Scottie Barnes (ankle) was downgraded to doubtful.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games against Toronto.
- Toronto is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games.
- Toronto is 14-6 SU in their last 20 games.
- 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- The Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a home underdog.
Free Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
While the 76ers led by as much as 29 points, typical of the Raptors’ identity they kept clawing and pulled within 11 points mid-way through the final frame before the Sixers pulled away again.
For as poorly as the Raptors played there are some positives takeaways. Toronto’s bench has outscored Philly in both games and held them to 13 points (versus 24) on Monday.
In Game 2, they also won the paint (48-36), offensive glass (13-7), and forced 16 turnovers (Philly committed only four in Game 1). They held Philly to 17 points in the fourth on Monday and will look to replicate that effort for a full 48 minutes.
If Trent can’t go watch for Malachi Flynn to get more minutes as he spent time on Maxey and was one of two Raptors with a positive plus/minus (+8).
Rivers hasn’t used Thybulle that much, perhaps not wanting to mess with the rotations much electing to utilize Danny Green more since he knows his old squad and coach.
Nurse is a master of adapting and while Rivers has the distinction of losing 3-1 series leads on three occasions – the Raptors would rather not test that theory but enter Wednesday in what will be deemed a must-win situation.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors +2
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