The Toronto Raptors (1-3) visit Wells Fargo Center Monday to take on the Philadelphia 76ers (3-1) in Game 5 of the frst-round Eastern Conference series. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Raptors vs. 76ers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Raptors won for the first time in the series, winning Saturday’s Game 4 110-102 after losing Game 3 in brutal fashion when 76ers C Joel Embiid hit a game-winning 3 in overtime.
Toronto starting PG Fred VanVleet is listed as questionable. He played just 14 minutes in Game 4 as G Gary Trent Jr. and F Pascal Siakam combined for 58 points. Siakam has led the Raptors, averaging 22.5 points per game.
The Raptors have covered just 1 of their last 6 and are 15-13-1 against the spread (ATS) as road underdogs. The Sixers are 15-18 ATS as home favorites and covered both home games this series.
Embiid leads the way averaging 26 points per game. Second-year G Tyrese Maxey is the only other Sixer averaging over 20 ppg. The Sixers are 3-1 ATS in this series, covering in each win.
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 12:02 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Raptors +270 (bet $100 to win $270) | 76ers -360 (bet $360 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Raptors +7.5 (-115) | 76ers -7.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 210.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
Raptors at 76ers key injuries
Raptors
- G Fred VanVleet (hip) questionable
76ers
-
C Joel Embiid (thumb) available
[tipico]
Raptors at 76ers picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 108, Raptors 105
Money line
PASS.
I like the Sixers to close the series out at home, but at -360, I wouldn’t bet on it. Similarly, the Raptors haven’t come close to beating Philly at home, so I wouldn’t back their money line value at +270.
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Against the spread
BET the RAPTORS +7.5 (-115).
The Raptors got punked in Game 1 and if you take out the second quarter of Game 2, they would’ve won that game by one. Obviously, that isn’t how it works. The point stands that the Sixers are not 8 or more points better.
The Raptors ranked second in offensive rebounding rate and finally started to utilize that aggression in Game 4, more than doubling the 76ers offensive boards.
They also had the third-lowest turnover rate this season. Toronto rebounds well and doesn’t turn it over. The Raptors must play at their pace.
They ranked top 5 in fast break points while the Sixers gave up the third-most fast break points. That’s where the Raptors need to abuse the slow Embiid-led Sixers, and they should figure that out and do just that in Game 5.
Considering Rookie of the Year F Scottie Barnes isn’t on the injury report, I like the Raptors to gain some traction earlier and at least make it a game.
Over/Under
LEAN to the OVER 210.5 (-115).
The Under is 3-1 in the first 4 games of the series, but this will be coming in as the lowest total yet. Had this been the projected score for all 4, the total would be an even 2-2.
If the Raptors want a chance, they’ll get out and run.
Both teams are also shooting well under their regular-season field goal attempts. The Sixers are even at a postseason-low 76.8 attempts. They’re hitting 49%, so it’s more so the pace, not the efficiency.
Toronto should want to up that in Game 5, and I expect a high-scoring, series-ending battle.
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