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 Thursday, April 28th, 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
(3-2) Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors (2-3)
Date: Thursday, April 28th
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Bankers Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
NBA Moneyline Odds: 76ers -111 | Raptors +110 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: 76ers -1.5
NBA Betting Total: 210.5
The fourth-seed Philadelphia 76ers and fifth-seed Toronto Raptors meet on Thursday, April 28th to play game 6 of their first round series.
Philly took an early 3-0 lead and could’ve been the first team to secure a second-round berth but the Raptors have won the last two games to force a Game 6 and in the interim the other three Eastern Conference series have finished with the Celtics, Bucks and Heat all moving on.
Philadelphia 76ers
After taking the Sixers failed to close out in Toronto or at home suddenly the prospect of the Raptors tying up this series and becoming the first team to win a series after trailing 0-3 is very much in play.
The 76ers looked listless and uninvested in the loss on Monday and the Wells Fargo attendees let them hear it booing them throughout the match.
Joel Embiid offered a double-double of 20 and 11 rebounds along with four assists. James Harden continued to struggle versus Toronto shooing 4 of 11 for 15 points (5-6 from free throw line) adding seven assists as well as five turnovers.
With less defensive emphasis on Harden, the Raptors have been more effective at shutting down Tobias Harris (6-16) and Tyrese Maxey (5-14) who scored 16 and 12 respectively.
Embiid (thumb) is probable, Matisse Thybulle (COVID vaccination) is ineligible and Charles Bassey (shoulder) is out Saturday.
Toronto Raptors
With Fred VanVleet sidelined due to a hip injury (and a sore knee) Nick Nurse has elected to go with a longer lenghier lineup instead of using a typical point guard like Malachi Flynn or Dalano Banton.
That’s caused problems for James Harden who is struggling against the length of the Raptors with 6’5 Gary Trent Jr. the shortest defender of a lineup featuring a bunch of 6’7″ to 6’9″ players.
The biggest differences in the Raptors schemes actually began with the overtime match (Game 3) when coach Nick Nurse stopped double teaming Harden to put more pressure on Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris.
On the offensive end of the court Nurse has his charges going after Embiid and Harden to wear them out and it’s working. At the end of Game 5 the Raptors scored on six straight plays versus Embiid who was grabbing his shorts in fatigue.
Thad Young (thumb) is probable. VanVleet (hip/knee) is listed as doubtful and that’s a lock since he told reporters if they win the series he might be able to return at that point.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Philadelphia is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games.
- Toronto is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games.
- The 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite.
- The Raptors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home underdog.
Free Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
When previewing game four in this series I noted the Raptors’ identity and culture of winning and how they wouldn’t be satisfied with conceeding the series. That they’ve gone on to win two games since also isn’t surprising.
Entering Game 6 the key factor of note is the 76ers have the best player (Embiid) but it’s the Raptors Siakam who has the better performance in this series, especially through these last few games.
More importantly, most of the Sixers aren’t used to being in this situation aside from Danny Green while Siakam, OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher (VanVleet), and coach Nurse were all with the 2019 title team so they should be more comfortable.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors +1.5
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