76ers – Raptors

Toronto Raptors Utah Jazz prediction

The Toronto Raptors are rated as 5.5 point spread favorites as the travel to Philadelphia to take on the resurgent Sixers.

Philadelphia (13-26, 8-14 home) is finally seeing some signs of improvement after a few shameful seasons in which they beat all kinds of NBA records for futility. The Sixers remain one of the worst teams in the league this year as well, but they are improving, putting in a lot of effort and their recent form is on a massive uptrend. Philly won 6 of the last 8 games and 4 out of their last 5, something which they could not have dreamt about months ago.

Toronto (28-13, 13-7 away) will be on the second night of a back to back after they defeated the Nets on Tuesday – their 4th (convincing) win in a row. Toronto has managed to get a foothold on the second place in the Eastern Conference, while also closing the gap behind Cleveland to just 1.5 games. After navigating trough a rough period at the end of December / start of January, Toronto is now back playing its best basketball.

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Team news: Philadelphia will miss rotation player McConnell. Embiid, Noel and Okafor are listed as probable – if Embid will miss it will be a disaster for Philly, but it`s unlikely. Toronto will have All Star point guard Lowry back after he was rested last night against the Nets.

Philly might be in great form, but tonight they will host the second best team in the East, a team that is also winning night in night out. I fully believe Toronto will simply be too much for the Sixers. Despite the recent results, Philly remains a young and inconsistent team, while Toronto is a reliable, experienced ball club that is playing lights out at the moment – exactly the kind of opponent that can expose Philly’s weaknesses.

Besides Philly’s recent form, their only other edge here is the fact that Toronto is on a back to back. However, the Raptors rested Lowry last night in Brooklyn in a relatively routine 10 point win, so he will be fit and ready to carry the load if needed. I believe that resting Lowry was a clear sign that Toronto wants 2 wins out of 2 in this back to back against the worst teams in the East.

Look for the 76ers to start with a lot of energy, but Toronto’s experienced backcourt will know how to change the tempo and take Philly out of their comfort zone. I expect a down night for the Sixers here, but even if they were to play their best basketball, Toronto should still win – and that`s without taking into account that Philly might miss a player or two.

In the earlier meetings this season Toronto won by 27 (home) and by 9 (in Philly). My tip is the Raptors to cover the 5 point handicap and odds are dropping on the bet. Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers – Toronto Raptors 98 – 112.

Pick: Raptors -5
Odds: 1.83 @ 18Bet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.64
Event date: 18 January

About Rostick

Born in '88. Running betting tips websites since 2007. Launched Betdistrict in 2013. Worked as a bookie for a year to spy on the other side. Rugby Union and NBA expert. Editor info & statistics.

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