The Toronto Raptors (0-1) visit the Philadelphia 76ers (1-0) Monday for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Tip-off at the Wells Fargo Center is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we look at the Raptors vs. 76ers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Philly steamrolled Toronto 131-111 in Game 1, winning all “four factors” and outscoring the Raptors in every quarter despite Sixers big Joel Embiid and G James Harden shooting a combined 34.4% from the field.
However, the Sixers shot 51.2% as a team, attempted 11 more free throws, threw 29 assists on 3 turnovers and G Tyrese Maxey erupted for a game-high 38 points on 66.7% shooting (5-of-8 from 3).
The Raptors could be without several rotation players for Game 2, including two starters in F Scottie Barnes and SG Gary Trent Jr.
Raptors at 76ers odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:28 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Raptors +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | 76ers -370 (bet $370 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Raptors +7.5 (-112) | 76ers -7.5 (-108)
- Over/Under: 216.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Raptors at 76ers key injuries
Raptors
- SF Scottie Barnes (ankle) doubtful
- SG Gary Trent Jr. (illness) doubtful
- PF Thaddeus Young (thumb) doubtful
76ers
- None
[tipico]
Raptors at 76ers picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 114, Raptors 109
Money line
PASS.
Philly overwhelmed Toronto in Game 1 even though Embiid and Harden had subpar games, but the 76ers (-370) are way too expensive for a playoff game.
I “lean” toward Toronto’s spread but, with Barnes and Trent most likely missing Game 2, I cannot sprinkle on the Raptors (+280).
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Against the spread
LEAN RAPTORS +7.5 (-112) because most of the market is hammering the 76ers -7.5 (-108) based on the Game 1 result, but the oddsmakers didn’t overreact to Philly’s beatdown of Toronto so nor should we.
Toronto’s scoring leading scorers over the regular season — F Pascal Siakam and All-Star PG Fred VanVleet — need to increase their volume because they scored a combined 42 points on 53.3% shooting in Game 1. Their usage should increase for Game 2 given Toronto’s injuries.
On the other hand, Philly’s role players couldn’t have performed any better in Game 1, but I’m expecting a touch of regression from Maxey and Sixers SF Tobias Harris (26 points in Game 1).
Also, Toronto’s defense accomplished its goals of slowing down Embiid and Harden in Game 1 and Raptors coach Nick Nurse has enough size and length on this roster to make meaningful adjustments ahead of Game 2.
LEAN RAPTORS +7.5 (-112).
Over/Under
BET the OVER 216.5 (-110) as a fade against the extreme line movement from the opening total of 220.5 and because both offenses match up well against both defenses.
Embiid and Harden obviously left meat on the bone in Game 1 so Philly’s offense could get a boost if either performs closer to their norm in Game 2. Furthermore, Toronto had a poor defensive free-throw attempt rate in the regular season, which means Embiid and Harden could live at the foul line.
Toronto is going to push the pace and the Sixers struggle in transition defense. The Raptors like to force turnovers and get fast break opportunities off live rebounds. If the Sixers have clumsy ball security or don’t get back on defense then Toronto is going to speed up the tempo of Game 2.
The OVER 216.5 (-110) is my favorite bet in this game.
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