The Toronto Raptors might be the underdogs in their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, but don't tell them that. The Raptors enter the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. They won nine of their final 12 games, including victories over the Boston Celtics, the Minnesota Timberwolves and twice against these Sixers. The recent success against Philadelphia is only going to embolden this Raptors squad. So let's take a look at the Toronto Raptors three bold predictions for their first round series against the Sixers.

3 Bold Predictions for Toronto Raptors First Round Series vs. Philadelphia 76ers

1. Pascal Siakam averages over 30 points per game

Of course, much of the attention on this series will be focused on the Sixers' MVP candidate, Joel Embiid. That's understandable. He is having an incredible year and is deserving of the attention. But lost in the shuffle of the Eastern Conference has been the Raptors, and in particular, how well Pascal Siakam has been playing.

Over the last month, the Raptors forward is averaging 26.8 points per game. He has been extremely efficient as well, shooting 53 percent from the floor. That's almost unheard of for a volume scoring forward. But as good as Siakam has been scoring, he has been equally impressive in other areas. During that same time period, he's pulling down 9.5 rebounds per game and dishing out six assists.

A little over two weeks ago, the Raptors beat the Sixers in Philadelphia, 93-88. In that win, Siakam led all scorers with 26 points, adding 10 rebounds and five assists. In their most recent meeting last week, Siakam went nuts with a triple double. He finished that game with 37 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists as the Raptors cost Philadelphia the Atlantic Division title.

Embiid will surely continue his impressive play. Toronto is going to need someone to come close to matching him, and that player will be Siakam.

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2. Raptors defense bottles up James Harden

Much of this series will come down to the play of Sixers' guard James Harden. They shocked the NBA world when they pulled off the trade, sending Ben Simmons to Brooklyn for Harden. As great as Harden is at scoring the basketball, in the playoffs, he has been a different player for much of his career. That has been well publicized.

Well, it's not going to get any easier against the Raptors defense. This season, Harden has had a very difficult time getting clean looks at the basket.

Harden is only scoring just over 19 points per game against Toronto this season. He has not been efficient, particularly from downtown. In his two games against the Raptors as a member of the Sixers, his numbers are even worse. He has shot 8-24 from the field in the two recent games.

Unless Harden can be more efficient, both with his shooting and ball control, Toronto might actually have the advantage in this series.

Click here for odds on Raptors vs Sixers first round series, courtesy of FanDuel.

3. Raptors pull off the upset and send the Sixers home

As I mentioned previously, Harden has had a difficult time in the playoffs, as well as against this Raptors team. I think he will have a couple good games, but over the course of the series, I expect him to struggle. Toronto even did a spectacular job against Embiid a couple weeks ago. They held the big man to 6-20 shooting for 21 points. Not many people realize how good Toronto is defensively.

There is also the minor fact that Philadelphia will be without one of their best defenders, Matisse Thybulle, for all the road games. Thybulle is not fully vaccinated and is not allowed to enter Canada. At best, the Sixers will win one game in Toronto. But they might not get any of them.

The Raptors on the other hand are a very deep team. They are obviously led by Siakam offensively, but Fred VanVleet was an All-Star this year for a reason. VanVleet knocked down 3.7 triples per game this season, while also only turning the ball over once per game. That's extremely rare for a point guard to have so few turnovers this side of Chris Paul.

But the Raptors also have OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr. and the rookie Scottie Barnes who are all capable of scoring 20 plus any game. But defense will carry the day for Toronto. VanVleet, Trent Jr. and Anunoby are all inside the top 20 in the NBA in steals this season.