NBA Playoffs Preview: Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors Prediction and Betting Preview
SportsMemo handicapper JM Sports gives his betting preview on the Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors divisional series in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia finished fourth in the east with a 51-31 record. Toronto finished fifth at 48-34.
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Series Winner | NBA Betting Notes (by DraftKings) |
---|---|
Win in 4 | 76ers (+850) Raptors (+2200) |
Win in 5 | 76ers (+350) Raptors (+1200) |
Win in 6 | 76ers (+425) Raptors (+500) |
Win in 7 | 76ers (+340) Raptors (+600) |
Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors Preview
Philadelphia is part of the 3-team separation in that #2-#4 spot in the rankings, but they currently find themselves on the bottom of the list of teams that currently hold home court advantage for any duration of the tournament.
Yet, that may not be something that bothers Philadelphia, I have mentioned it before, everyone wants to find themselves sitting in a position where they can play in front of their home fans on their home court.
Out of the 10 playoff teams in the field on the East, Philadelphia has the best record on the road, and they don’t seem to mind playing away from Philadelphia, actually, if you look at their record, they might prefer it!
76ers Underrated on the Road
Philadelphia is 24-17 on their home court and while they are over .500 at home, that is the 3rd worst home winning percentage in the Eastern Conference field, tied with the Raptors for a record that is only better than that of the Nets and the Hornets.
While their winning percentage on the road is 65.9% (27-14) is the best in the East and the 2nd best out of the entire playoff field, behind just Phoenix.
Philadelphia has home court advantage in this series and seeing as 19 of their road wins (and five losses) come as a favorite on the road, if they get into a situation where they find themselves playing on another teams court as an underdog, the results put them as a .500 team away from home as a dog, posting an 8-8 record.
Playoff Hunt is on in Philadelphia
Injuries have always been a major issue for this Philadelphia team in recent memory, as we all remember to “trust the process” but for once, Philadelphia comes into these playoffs with no listed injuries, a big difference maker when it comes to the postseason, a departure of Ben Simmons is also something that may have helped the injury report.
Philadelphia has made the playoffs the last four consecutive seasons, and six times dating back to 2010, while advancing to the 2nd round in four of those six seasons.
The 76ers have moved on to the second round in three of the last four years, failing to win a round in the 2020 playoffs, as well as advancing in 2012, but this Philadelphia team has yet to reach the Conference Finals dating back to 2010.
Hard to imagine that six playoff appearances in the last 12 years have resulted in just 56 games, but winning just four series in their 10 attempts doesn’t pad the experience.
Their six appearances is more than just two teams in the East, and the same goes for the games played, sitting ahead of just Cleveland and Charlotte in appearances, and ahead of Brooklyn and Charlotte in playoff games played.
In those six attempts, and 56 games, they find themselves winning just 48.2% of their playoff games, a number they will have to improve on if Philadelphia anticipates making a run this postseason.
Raptors Rolling at Right Time
Currently, Toronto has been the hottest team in the field as the regular season comes to a close. They have put themselves right on the tail of the 76ers, but while it may be too little too late to secure home that doesn’t negate the run that they are on.
Regardless, they look to be heading into the playoffs on a definite hot streak, winning eight out of their last 10 games. Toronto finds themselves in a similar situation to Philadelphia, as they currently are one of just three teams in the East that possess a better record and winning percentage on the road than they do on their home court.
The Raptors are also one of just three teams in the East that have won at least 60% of their road games as the records currently stand, as they are 24-16 away from (60%) and 22-17 (56.4%) on their home court.
When it comes to covering the spread, they find themselves tied, but atop of the list away from home, not only winning, but covering over 64% of their road games.
Toronto is also one of the most well-balanced teams when you look at their stats as a favorite & an underdog.
It doesn’t seem to matter the caliber of opponent that they are playing to get the job done. They have won nearly 69% of their games as a favorite, as most of these playoff teams should, the 4th best percentage in the East, but they are also the 3rd best team in the East when it comes to playing as an underdog.
Miami is the only team in the East that has a winning record as an underdog this season, but Toronto has just over 44% of their games as an underdog this season, sitting behind just Miami and Philly.
Overlooked Raptors Poised For Upset
When it comes to the injuries of the team heading into the postseason, there doesn’t seem to be much of a concern.
OG Anunoby and Yuta Watanabe (quad) were the only two players listed on the most recent injury report, but both seem to be set to return for the postseason as OG was listed as just day-to-day, and while Yuta has missed five consecutive games at this point, it doesn’t seem that a long term absence is imminent.
While Boston may be the most consistent team at reaching the playoffs in the East currently, there is definite room to argue that prior to last year, that title would go to the Raptors.
They are smack dab in the middle when it comes to playoff games played since 2010 when you look at the field in the East, but prior to last season, Toronto had made the playoffs every year dating back to 2014!
They advanced to the 2nd round in five consecutive seasons (2016-2020), while reaching the Conference Finals twice and walking away with the Championship in 2019!
The Raptors won 9 of their 16 series that they played in, their consistency has put them in a position to be one of five teams currently in the East that have won over 50% of their playoff games dating back to 2010.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors Prediction
With the Raptors being as hot as they are, they will be a tough out for Philadelphia. The 76ers clearly have more talent, but don’t be surprised if Toronto forces this series to seven games.
Let’s take the series to go the distance with Philadelphia prevailing at the end and moving to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers 4-3 (+340)
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THANK YOU!!
I like to thank everyone for following along with the @WagerTalk #NBA Stat Sheet this season.
It helped me to a 64% NBA season which was #1 in Win% at Wagertalk!I will post a sheet during the first round of the #NBAPlayoffs2022!
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— Ralph Michaels (@CalSportsLV) April 10, 2022
Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors Against the Spread Notes from GoldSheet
NBA Tip-Off Show
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