No team in NBA history has lost a playoff series after taking a 3-0 lead, but that is the scenario the Philadelphia 76ers face if they can't close out their first round series against the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 on Thursday night. The path to victory won't be easy, as superstar center Joel Embiid is playing with a torn thumb ligament, defensive stopper Matisse Thybulle is ineligible to play in Toronto due to his COVID vaccination status, and James Harden has shot a miserable 37.3 percent from the field in the series thus far. Meanwhile, Toronto's Pascal Siakam scored 57 total points in Games 4 and 5 and hit 55.6 percent of his shots to lead the Raptors in those starts.
Game time on Thursday is set for 7 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena, where the Raptors are 35-26 all-time in the postseason. Philadelphia is listed as a 1.5-point favorite in the latest 76ers vs. Raptors odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 209.5. Before making any Raptors vs. 76ers picks or NBA predictions, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the second full week of the 2022 NBA playoffs on a stunning 86-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning more than $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Sixers vs. Raptors and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and playoff betting lines for Raptors vs. Sixers:
- 76ers vs. Raptors spread: Philadelphia -1.5
- 76ers vs. Raptors over-under: 209.5 points
- 76ers vs. Raptors money line: Philadelphia -125, Toronto +105
- PHI: Embiid led the NBA in scoring (30.6 points per game) during the regular season
- TOR: Raptors rank third in the league in the playoffs in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.18)
Why the 76ers can cover
Philadelphia was one of the best road teams in the NBA overall this season, at 28-15. Although the 76ers' record against the spread and as a favorite are less impressive, they only have to win by one basket on Thursday to cover. Although Harden has struggled with his efficiency, his offensive output in the series hasn't been too far off from his games against Toronto during the regular season (19.3 points, 10.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds). In his last four Game 6 appearances from 2018 through last season, he averaged 28.8 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.
Although Embiid's injury sounds significant, it is assumed he sustained the injury in Game 3, and he's posted back-to-back games with at least 20 points since then. While Thybulle is a troublesome defender for opponents, he doesn't move the needle significantly elsewhere, and has only scored 10 total points in the three games he has played otherwise. Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet is doubtful (hip) once again after missing Game 5, and the 76ers should capitalize with a tighter rotation of their own players.
Why the Raptors can cover
Toronto has been much more effective defensively over the last two games. Over the first three games of the series, the Raptors allowed 127.1 points per 100 possessions to the 76ers, which ranked second to last among playoff teams over that time. But since Game 3, they are giving up just 98.4 points, which ranks third best.
In addition, Siakam has been the best player on the court the last two games. In Game 5, he scored 15 of his game-high 23 points in the second half and fell just three assists shy of a triple-double. While initiating the offense in the absence of VanVleet, he did not turn the ball over in the second half.
How to make 76ers vs. Raptors picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the point total, predicting a combined 216 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's Raptors vs. 76ers pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Raptors vs. 76ers? And which side of the spread hits well over 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the 76ers vs. Raptors spread you need to jump on Thursday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
