The Raptors have lost 12 games in a row, and they follow up three days of rest by hosting the eighth-seeded 76ers on Sunday (6:00 p.m. ET, TSN). Fans and bettors alike are probably cheering for another big loss.
You see, Raptors fans are hoping for a solid pick in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery. And bettors — they're just looking for an easy team to bet against.
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No squad in the NBA has been as strong a bet as the Raptors' opponent since Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl got hurt. Toronto won its first game without All-Star Barnes, then proceeded to lose a dozen straight.
And the majority of these losses have been by a lot. The Raps' average margin of defeat during this 12-game skid: 17.3 points. Their against-the-spread record in that span: 3-9. Their cover rate over the past eight games: 12.5 percent (1-7). New York crushed Toronto 145-101 on Wednesday.
Now Tyrese Maxey and a hungry Sixers squad visit Scotiabank Arena looking to get out of Play-In positioning, with former Raps coach Nick Nurse leading the charge. Do we expect more of the same from Toronto? Will Philly play down to its opponent or take a game versus a 23-50 team for granted?
Let's dive into the odds for this lopsided Eastern Conference battle, then uncover some stats and trends and reveal our predictions, best bets, and top player props from BetMGM.
Raptors vs. 76ers prediction, player props, best bets against the spread and moneyline
All odds and props are from BetMGM, an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.
- ATS: 76ers -10.5 (-110) | Raptors +10.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: 76ers -650 | Raptors +450
- Over/under: O 218.5 (-105) | U 218.5 (-115)
No surprises here. The undermanned Raptors have gone just 13-24 straight up and against the spread at home, which tells us that Toronto's losses haven't even been all that close. They can't stay hot offensively, or step up defensively to slow down superior offensive players.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, has gone 12-4 straight up and 9-7 ATS as a road favorite this season. Seven of the Raps' past eight games have gone UNDER, as have nine of Philly's past 11.
Raptors vs. 76ers predictions, best bets
We're not overthinking this one. The 76ers have a far better team, more motivation to bag a win, and Nick Nurse will have his guys ready to take care of business against his former squad.
Darko and the Raptors aren't trying to win, folks. They're starting Javon Freeman-Liberty and giving 24-27 minutes a game to Garrett Temple and Kobi Simmons. They have decent scorers in sharpshooter Gradey Dick and Gary Trent Jr., but they don't have anyone who can consistently take over games.
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Newsflash: the Sixers have someone who can take over games. Maxey, an All-Star and candidate for Most Improved Player, has been magnificent. The spry point guard has led Philly to recent wins over the Clippers, Mavericks, Heat, Cavs, and Knicks.
The 76ers obviously have plenty of issues without reigning MVP Joel Embiid — they've lost six of their past 10 — but that's just an even bigger reason to smash-bet Philly against the spread to win this game. This squad won't be taking its opponent lightly, or playing down to its competition.
Philadelphia needs to beat the pulp out of bad teams to ensure it doesn't creep into the nine or 10 seed and lose home-court advantage in the Play-In. Bet the Sixers to take care of business, or bet against the Raptors ending their 12-game skid. However you want to phrase it, the best bet's there for the taking.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: 76ers 111, Raptors 99 — The Knicks win (-450) and cover (-10.5), and the score finishes UNDER the projected total (211.5).
Raptors vs. 76ers top player prop bet
Tyrese Maxey points — OVER 26.5 (-130)
Maxey has been running hot. In the 22 straight games Philly has been without Embiid, the All-Star guard has averaged 26 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. During that span, he has a 50-piece, eight 30-burgers, and 12 games with 26 or more.
In their last game, the Raptors allowed Knicks backcourt duo Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride to combine for 55, with each finishing at 26-plus. Expect a Max effort from Tyrese, who has dropped 28-plus against the past three non-playoff teams he has faced (Charlotte twice, Washington).
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