Free NBA Pick: Raptors vs. 76ers NBA Odds
Looking for Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Raptors taking on the 76ers on Monday, April 18th, 2022 at Wells Fargo Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Raptors 76ers matchup.
2022 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 1
(0-1) Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers (1-0)
Date: Monday, April 18th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
NBA Moneyline Odds: Raptors +251 | 76ers -256 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: 76ers -7
NBA Betting Total: 217.5
Monday, April 18th, the fifth-place Toronto Raptors, and fourth-place Philadelphia 76ers play the second game of their first-round Eastern Conference series with the 76ers up 1-0.
Toronto Raptors
The tone was set less than a minute into the match as Fred VanVleet was called for a touch foul eight seconds into the game and a second foul 58 seconds into the match.
It changed the dynamic of the game as the guard is one of the key defenders for Toronto and seemed to impact Toronto negatively as they never got into their typical defensive mindset.
VanVleet fouled out in the fourth quarter with just over nine minutes remaining to mark the first time in his 397 career games that had occurred.
In six years, VanVleet who is in consideration for All-NBA had collected five personal fouls only 13 times – 11 times in the regular season and twice in post-season play.
Nurse discussed whistle inconsistency specifically highlighting Embiid elbows and what refs allowed.
"If you beat him to the spot & he runs you over, it's a foul. I thought he threw 3 or 4 elbows to the face & got called for one, OK? We're gonna stand in there, but if we're legal defensively, we got to have calls or we don't have a chance" — Nurse on guarding Joel Embiid.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) April 17, 2022
For those wanting more – check out some soft fouls Toronto was assessed versus what Philly was allowed like this and these and you’ll understand what Nurse is pointing to.
Note: the last clip is just for video where only ONE of those hits was called – elbow to Barnes head (missing two other elbows one to Anunoby) and I’m not saying he’s dirty- just pointing out the whistle discrepancy.
Toronto took another gut punch as rookie Scottie Barnes who was phenomenal was injured when Embiid inadvertently stepped on his ankle at 9:06 of the fourth quarter.
He needed to be helped off the court after registering a near triple-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists plus a block and led the team with nine of their 23 free throws.
Thad Young injured his thumb, Khem Birch and OG Anunoby both took shots to the head courtesy of Embiid’s elbows and Gary Trent Jr. was clearly ailing (2 of 11) with an illness that he’s been dealing with the past week.
Barnes (ankle), Young (thumb), and Trent Jr. (illness) are all doubtful for Game 2. The Barnes injury, in particular, was bad, he took the full weight of Embiid stepping on his ankle leaving the youngster writhing in pain needing assistance to leave the court.
Philadelphia 76ers
While VanVleet couldn’t breathe the wrong way, James Harden played the entire day without collecting a single personal foul which is frankly FALSE but how the whistle went for Philly.
Although the refs were seemingly calling the game two different ways depending on the side of the court they were on – the truth is the 76ers played better and didn’t need the officials’ help.
Toronto did a good job on Embiid and Harden who shot a collective 11 of 32 but failed miserably at stopping Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris.
Maxey (14 of 21) was explosive collecting 38 points while Harris (9 of 14) offered 26 and both shot efficiently.
Embiid (19 points, 15 rebounds) and Harden (22 points, 14 assists) both collected double-doubles, and while Harden managed his team and the playmaking he wasn’t nearly as big of a factor as Maxey.
Moving forward, with the Raptors likely missing two starters and a top reserve this game could be more of the same especially if the officiating resembles a similar imbalance.
Jaden Springer (knee) is questionable while Charles Bassey (shoulder) is out Monday.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Toronto is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
- Philadelphia is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto’s last 6 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games.
- The Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
- The 76ers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight-up win.
Free Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers NBA Prediction:
Two things I noted to watch for in the Game 1 preview were the whistle disparity and the Raptors’ issues with Game 1’s of the series. Both proved accurate.
Now typically the Raptors are a club that bounces back following a bad loss but without two starters (Barnes, Trent) it’s going to be an uphill battle in Game 2.
Watch for Nurse to have something in place for Maxey and Harris and have his charges crashing the glass- but the question is by responding to that duo will it open up the floor for Embiid and Harden.
Nurse’s teams are tough and resilient so also expect a response to the physicality and specifically to any elbows levied.
For as much as I want to say Toronto keeps it within the spread, I’m hesitant to believe the whistle changes and the Raptors will likely have to wait until they’re in Toronto in front of a knowledgeable (and boisterous) fan base.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: 76ers ATS
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