The Raptors have lost 12 games in a row and, after three days of rest, will host the eighth-seeded 76ers on Sunday (6:00 p.m. ET, TSN). Fans and bettors alike are likely cheering for another big loss.
You see, Raptors fans are hoping for a solid pick in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery. And bettors are just looking for a team that is easy to bet against.
No team in the NBA has been as strong a bet as the Raptors’ opponent since Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl were injured. Toronto won its first game without All-Star Barnes, then lost a dozen in a row.
And most of these losses have been for a batch. The Raps’ average margin of defeat during this 12-game streak: 17.3 points. His record against the spread in that span: 3-9. His coverage rate over the last eight games: 12.5 percent (1-7). New York crushed Toronto 145-101 on Wednesday.
Now Tyrese Maxey and a hungry Sixers team visit Scotiabank Arena looking to climb out of Play-In position, with former Raps coach Nick Nurse leading the charge. Are we expecting more of the same from Toronto? Will Philadelphia downplay its opponent or take a game against a 23-50 team for granted?
Let’s dive into the odd for this lopsided Eastern Conference battle, then discover some stats and trends and reveal our predictions, best bets and best BetMGM player accessories.
Raptors vs. 76ers prediction, player fixtures, best bets against the spread and moneyline
All odds and props are from BetMGM, an authorized NBA gaming operator.
- ETA: 76ers -10.5 (-110) | Raptors +10.5 (-110)
- Money line: 76ers -650 | Raptors +450
- Below: Or 218.5 (-105) | U 218.5 (-115)
There are no surprises here. Shorthanded Raptors are 13-24 and against the spread at home, which tells us that Toronto’s losses haven’t even been that close. They can’t stay hot offensively or step up defensively to slow down superior offensive players.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia is 12-4 and 9-7 ATS as a road favorite this season. Seven of the Raps’ last eight games have ended UNDER, as have nine of Philadelphia’s last 11.
Raptors vs. 76ers predictions and best bets
We’re not thinking too much about this. The 76ers have a much better team, more motivation to get a win and Nick Nurse will have his guys ready to take care of business against his old team.
Darko and the Raptors aren’t trying to win, folks. They are starting Javon Freeman-Liberty and giving 24-27 minutes per game to Garrett Temple and Kobi Simmons. They have decent scorers like sharpshooter Gradey Dick and Gary Trent Jr., but they don’t have anyone who can control games consistently.
Newsflash: The Sixers have someone who can take over games. Maxey, an All-Star and Most Improved Player candidate, has been magnificent. The agile point guard has led Philadelphia to recent victories over the Clippers, Mavericks, Heat, Cavs and Knicks.
The 76ers obviously have a lot of trouble without reigning MVP Joel Embiid (they’ve lost six of their last 10), but that’s even more of a reason to bet Philadelphia against the spread to win this game. This team will not take its opponent lightly or downplay its competition.
Philadelphia needs to beat the crap out of bad teams to make sure they don’t fall to ninth or tenth place and lose home field advantage in the Play-In. Bet on the Sixers to take care of business, or bet on the Raptors to end their 12-game skid. However you want to put it, the best bet is there for the taking.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: 76ers 111, Raptors 99 – The Knicks gain (-450) and cover (-10.5), and the score ends LOW the projected total (211.5).
