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A shorthanded and out of form Philadelphia side will host the red hot Toronto Raptors, with the 76ers attempting to get back into playoff contention.
The Sixers (14-16, 7-8 home) started the season with high expectations, as this was finally supposed to be the year in which they reach the playoffs after throwing away successive seasons for draft picks. However, the Sixers haven`t been particularly impressive, and recently they started playing worse and worse. Philly lost 8 of the last 10 and is now two games behind the last playoff spot in the East.
Toronto (21-8, 10-7 away) has been one of NBA’s most in form teams recently, winning 10 of the last 11 games and climbing to the 2nd seed in the East. While Toronto did have a very easy schedule during the stretch, the achievement remains impressive, and the Raptors will surely fancy their chances for another win tonight – even if it will be their second road game in two nights.
Bet on Sixers vs. Raptors and claim your 100% (100 Euro) free bet at Ohmbet now!Team news: Philly has serious injury problems here. Reddick and Fultz are out, but most importantly their best player Embiid is highly doubtful, and all reports suggest he won`t play (even if he looked good in the shootaround earlier in the day). Booker is also doubtful. As for the Raptors, they will miss rotation players Miles and Nogueira.
Toronto is back to back on the road and that is always dangerous for a team in such a situation. However, the impact of the back to back will be lessened by the fact that Toronto had an easy game yesterday in Charlotte, with neither key player playing more than 29 minutes.
Even playing their second consecutive game on the road, the Raptors should be able to do the job here in Philly. Not only are they a better team and in much better form, but Philadelphia’s injury problems will take a lot away from the hosts. Missing their best player Embiid, plus another starter in Reddick, will change the entire complexity of the Sixers.
Joel Embiid missed 7 games for Philly so far this season. Their record without him: 1-6. One of the losses was actually against the Raptors back in October, 94-128 in Toronto.
As long as Embiid doesn`t make a surprising comeback, the Raptors should be fine here. They could win even with him in Philly’s lineup, but the bet wouldn`t have so much value in that case.
My tip here is Toronto to win. Given the competitive odds for a straight win, and the predisposition of both teams to sometimes play close games (plus the small possibility that Embiid will play), I`m going to avoid a handicap and go with the simple victory. Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers – Toronto Raptors 102 – 114.
Pick: Raptors
Odds: 1.74 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.92
Event date: 21 December
