Potentially crushing news for the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series on Monday as the Raptors could be without two starters and a key reserve due to injury/illness. The Sixers are solid favorites on the NBA odds.
How to Bet Toronto at Philadelphia NBA Odds & TV Info
- When: Monday, 7:30 PM ET
- Where: Wells Fargo Center
- TV: TNT
- Stream: TNT app
- Radio: Tunein.com
- NBA Odds: Sixers -7 (total 217.5)
Why Bet on Toronto?
Raptors coach Nick Nurse wasn’t happy with the officiating in the 131-111 Game 1 loss as he felt his smaller (no players over 6-9) front court got bullied, but not in legal fashion.
“We gotta believe that if we’re legal defensively, that they’re gonna call those,” Nurse told reporters after the game. “We had a couple times where we beat [Joel Embiid] to the spot and he bowled us right over and they just let them lay it in. I don’t care if you’re 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, if you beat him to the spot and he runs you over, it’s a foul. I thought he threw three or four elbows to the face. He got called for one. We’re going to stand in there.”
Pascal Siakam totaled 24 points, seven assists and three rebounds for Toronto. The big man has been excellent as a rebounder, facilitator and scorer this season, especially after the All-Star break when he averaged 24.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
OG Anunoby compiled 20 points, seven boards, rookie Scottie Barnes finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and Gary Trent went cold from the field with nine points on 2-of-11 shooting.
Barnes was on his way to a triple-double before injuring his ankle after Joel Embiid stepped on his foot late in the game. Barnes is being called doubtful with a sprain for Monday. Barnes was the only NBA rookie this season – and first in franchise history – to record 1000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 250+ assists. Only three other rookies have totaled 1000/500/250 in last 20 years – Luka Doncic (2018-19), Ben Simmons (2017-18) and Blake Griffin (2010-11).
Trent is doubtful Monday with an illness. So is Thaddeus Young, who has been diagnosed with a hyperextended left thumb, also is doubtful.
This series marks the third time Toronto and Philadelphia will meet in the playoffs. The previous two series both went seven games. The 76ers edged out Toronto in second round in 2001, while the Raptors prevailed in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2019 en route to the franchise’s first NBA title.
Why Bet on Philadelphia?
The Sixers were led by Tyrese Maxey’s playoff career-high 38 points in Game 1, 21 of which came in the third quarter. It was the highest-scoring playoff quarter for a Sixer since Allen Iverson in 2001.
He was 14-for-21 from the field, including 5-for-8 from 3-point range. While Maxey’s speed was apparent last year as a rookie, it’s his improved jump shot that has opened up his game. He went from a low-volume, 30% 3-point shooter as a rookie to a 42% shooter on over four 3-point attempts per game in Year 2.
“His speed is a factor,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers said. “We know that we have to keep using him in space. Some nights, maybe he’ll drive to pass. Tonight, it was him driving and getting to the basket and making shots.”
Maxey helped make up for the struggles of James Harden, who was 2-for-10 on 2-point shots, but he still finished with 22 points. Much of that was thanks to his signature step-back 3-pointers, and he finished 4-for-7 from 3-point range. Harden also had five rebounds and 14 assists to just one turnover.
NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid had 19 points and 15 rebounds; he was named a finalist for regular-season MVP but probably will lose out to Nikola Jokic. Tobias Harris had 26 points, six rebounds and six assists. The point total is the third-highest in his postseason career, and it was his second career playoff game with at least 26 points, six boards and six assists.
After rough adjustment period immediately following the Sixers’ acquisition of Harden in February, Harris has increasingly embraced his new role down the stretch. He has responded to Harden’s presence by cutting down on his off-the-dribble creation and mid-range game, upping his three-point volume, and utilizing his size and quickness to get better looks at the rim.
Philadelphia committed just four turnovers on the night, none of which came in a first half that they won 69-51. The Sixers totaled 29 fast break points, plus 17 second chance points off 10 offensive rebounds.
Game Trends
- Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
- Raptors are 26-10 ATS in their last 36 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
- 76ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Monday games.
- 76ers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
- 76ers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
- Raptors are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Philadelphia.
Expert Prediction
- 76ers 110, Raptors 104
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