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The Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Toronto Raptors in the sixth game of their first-round matchup on Thursday. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a 76ers-Raptors prediction and pick.
It looked like this series was over after game three, but the Raptors are making things interesting. Philadelphia started off the series as well as any team could, winning the first three contests presumably locking up a series win. However, Toronto has gone away easily. After a heartbreaking overtime defeat, the Raptors took game four on their home court and proceeded to steal game five in Philadelphia. Now they return to their home turf for a huge game six with their season on the line.
Here are the 76ers-Raptors NBA playoffs odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Playoffs Odds: 76ers-Raptors Odds
Philadelphia 76ers: -1.5 (-112)
Toronto Raptors: +1.5 (-108)
Over: 209.5 (-110)
Under: 209.5 (-110)
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Why The 76ers Could Cover The Spread
Philadelphia's defense should play well in this matchup. The 76ers have been elite on that end of the floor all series long, as they haven't allowed the Raptors to score more than 111 points in a game. Even in game four, a contest that the Sixers lost, the Raptors were held to 42% shooting from the field, including a 23% shooting percentage from three-point range. Toronto also shot 25% from three in game five. This Philadelphia defense has locked up the Raptors in nearly every single game, and that shouldn't change in this one.
The Raptors will likely be playing without one of their most important players in this game. Star guard Fred VanVleet is doubtful with a hip injury. VanVleet has an argument for being the best overall player on the Raptors, especially on the offensive end. His shooting and his one-on-one scoring ability are crucial to Toronto's ability to succeed on offense. Head coach Nick Nurse's team has already been struggling to score, and now they'll probably play without one of their best guys. There's no doubt that VanVleet's absence will make an already-mediocre offense even worse.
Why The Raptors Could Cover The Spread
The 76ers haven't been the only good defensive team in this series. Toronto managed to hold Philadelphia to 88 points on 38% shooting from the field. The Sixers also shot poorly in game four, posting a 42% shooting percentage from the field largely thanks to a pestering Raptors defense. In both home games this series, Toronto has held Philly to 104 points or less. A similar result in this one is certainly a possibility.
The importance of home-court advantage can't be understated here. The Raptors lost in two road blowouts to begin this series, but things changed as soon as they played in Scotiabank Arena. Both games that took place in Toronto were single-digit games, and one of them was a Raptors victory. It's clear that Toronto is far more comfortable playing at home than they are on the road, and that should help them out here.
Final 76ers-Raptors Prediction & Pick
This spread is too small to pick the Raptors. With VanVleet likely missing this game, Philadelphia has to be the pick to win by a single bucket.
Final 76ers-Raptors Pick: Philadelphia 76ers: -1.5 (-112)
