The Philadelphia 76ers (21-12), 4.5-point favorites, will have their chance to upend the NBA’s top team when they square off against the Toronto Raptors (25-9) at the Wells Fargo Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 220 points and it will air on NBATV at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22, 2018.
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Odds
Both teams easily covered as favorites in their last contest. The 76ers (12.5-point favorites) defeated the New York Knicks 131-109, while the Raptors (4.5-point favorites) beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-110. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Philadelphia game finished 11.5 points over the projected point total of 228.5, while the Toronto game went 25 points over the projected point total of 211.
Toronto dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a ridiculously low turnover percentage of 7.2 (better than their season average of 12.1) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 31.0 (above their season average of 23.6). Cleveland put up marks of 11.3 and 26.8, respectively, for those same stats. The 76ers, on the other hand, held the Knicks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 8.7 (below their season average of 25.2) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.619 (above their season average of 0.527). Ben Simmons had a huge game for Philadelphia, collecting 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists on his way to his third triple-double of the season. Meanwhile, Toronto received a boost from Kawhi Leonard, who contributed 37 points and six rebounds.
In their two contests this year, the Raptors have won both. The two teams combined to score 215 points in their most recent game, which was under the projected point total of 229.5. Toronto won 113-102, covering as a 7-point favorite. The Raptors’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over the 76ers. Toronto had a rate of 9.1, while Philadelphia posted a mark of 18.2. Leonard had a stellar game, with 36 points, 9 rebounds and 5 steals.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Raptors games, with 18 overs compared to 15 unders. Toronto comes into the game with records of 25-9 straight up (SU) and 15-18 against the spread (ATS).
Of the 76ers’ 33 games, 19 have finished over the projected point total. Moreover, Philadelphia is 21-12 SU and 15-18 ATS.
It will be a battle of contrasting tempos as the fast-breaking 76ers (ranked eighth in the league in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Raptors (19th in possessions per game). Also, the sharp-shooting offense of the Raptors ranks third in effective field goal percentage (0.547), while the 76ers are fourth-best in the league at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.503).
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The 76ers rank 12 in second chance points per game (13.393939393939394) while the Raptors rank 16 in second chance points allowed per game (13.5).
- Toronto ranks ninth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.9) while Philadelphia ranks 25th (18.3).
- The Raptors rank third in fast break points per game (17.8) while the 76ers rank 11th in fast break points allowed per game (12.8).
- Philadelphia ranks eighth in blocks per game (5.5) while Toronto ranks 14th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
- Toronto ranks 11 in steals per game (8.382352941176471) while Philadelphia ranks 16 in steals allowed per game (7.666666666666667).
- The 76ers average 26.7 assists per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Raptors rank 16th in assists allowed per game (24.0).
- The 76ers average 47.333333333333336 rebounds per game, which ranks 6 in the league. The Raptors rank 12 in rebounds allowed per game (44.1764705882353).
- Toronto ranks seventh in points in the paint per game (51.7) while Philadelphia ranks 18th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.3).
- Philadelphia is 6-0 when they allow below 100 points, while Toronto is 7-1.
- When reaching the century mark, the 76ers are 21-9 and the Raptors are 23-7.
- Toronto is 9-8 ATS on the road, while Philadelphia is 10-8 ATS at home.
- The Raptors have 9 unders and 8 overs in 17 road games.
- Of the 76ers’ 18 home games, they have 10 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Toronto and Philadelphia are both 2-3 ATS.
- The Raptors have 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games, while the 76ers have 3 overs and 2 unders
- During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 109.2 points per game (5.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 104.4 points per game (2.7 below their season average).
- The 76ers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.6, down from 2.2 for the season.
