The Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Toronto Raptors in the third game of their first-round matchup on Wednesday. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a 76ers-Raptors prediction and pick.

 

This series hasn't been all that competitive. The 76ers dominated the first two contests, winning Game 1 by 20 points and Game 2 by 15. Star center Joel Embiid has proven himself to be a nearly unstoppable force, dropping a combined 50 points and 26 rebounds over two games. However, the Raptors should get a boost by returning to their home floor. Toronto is too good of a team to be swept, so a change if fortune is certainly possible here.

Here are the 76ers-Raptors NBA playoff odds for Game 3, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NBA Playoff Odds: 76ers-Raptors Game 3 Odds

Philadelphia 76ers: -1.5 (-110)

Toronto Raptors: +1.5 (-110)

Over: 216.5 (-110)

Under: 216.5 (-110)

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Why The 76ers Could Cover The Spread

Through two games, the Raptors have shown that they have absolutely zero way to stop Embiid. Toronto head coach Nick Nurse went with a smaller starting lineup through the first two games, starting Precious Achiuwa at center. Achiuwa is not a great defensive matchup for Embiid, and backup center Chris Boucher isn't much better. Without a way to stop the opposing team's best player, expect the Raptors to continue to struggle in this matchup.

This is an inexplicably small spread. The Sixers are coming off back-to-back blowout victories, and they were also a better team on the road in the regular season. Philadelphia earned a 27-14 road record over the course of the season and a 24-17 record at home. The Sixers played two games in Toronto this year, and they won one while losing a close affair in the second. There's really no good reason for this spread to be this small, especially with the Sixers entering the game on a hot streak.

Why The Raptors Could Cover The Spread

The Sixers won't have all of their players available in this game. Forward Matisse Thybulle, a crucial part of Philadelphia's elite defense, isn't eligible to play here because of his vaccination status. While Thybulle isn't one of the stars of this Sixers team, he plays an important defensive role, especially in this matchup with a Raptors team that has lots of good wings. Philadelphia played seven games without Thybulle this season, going 3-4 with losses to the likes of the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks.

Toronto has been solid against the spread this season. The Raptors earned a 21-20 record against the spread as a home team, with a 19-17-1 record ATS as underdogs. The Sixers have not had nearly as much success against the spread in games like this one, as they have a record of 26-31-1 as favorites. Philly also went 11-13-1 against the spread as road favorites. Overall, Toronto hasn't been awful at covering in games like this one.

Final 76ers-Raptors Game 3 Prediction & Pick

This is one of the easiest picks of the year. There's no reason for the Sixers to be favored by less than eight points after two consecutive blowout victories. Lock in Philadelphia to win and to cover in this game. The Raptors enjoyed a better season than expected, but they're not healthy and are running out of gas.

Final 76ers-Raptors Game 3 Prediction & Pick: Philadelphia 76ers: -1.5 (-110)