NBA Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors Game 1 Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 04-27-2019, 19:30 EDT

Spread: Toronto Raptors -6.5

Total: +222

In the opening game of this Eastern Conference second round matchup, two teams coming off 4-1 wins in the conference quarterfinals are clashing, when the third Philadelphia Sixers are visiting the second Toronto Raptors, who are looking to utilize the home court advantage that gave them two easy regular season victories by an average of 14 points.

Sixers had a 51-31 record (38-44 ATS) in the regular season and finished in the third place of the Eastern Conference. They are 5-1 in their last 6 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Brooklyn at home in the fifth game of the series, 122-100 eliminating them. Raptors had a 58-24 record (38-44 ATS) in the regular season and finished in the second place of the Eastern Conference. They are 6-1 in their last 7 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Orlando at home in the fifth game of the series, 115-96 eliminating them.

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Philadelphia are led in scoring by Joel Embiid with 24.8 ppg. He also leads the team in rebounding with 13.5 per game, while Tobias Harris follows with 17.6 ppg, adding 9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Ben Simmons adds 17.2 ppg, 6.6 rebounds and a team high 7.6 assists per game. Toronto are led in scoring by Kawhi Leonard with 27.8 ppg. He also adds 6.6 rebounds per game, while Pascal Siakam follows with 22.6 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 8.4 per game. Kyle Lowry adds 11.4 ppg and leads the team in assists made with 8.6 per game.

Toronto lead Philadelphia 3-1 wins so far this season and have won both games at home with a 113-102 and a 129-112 score. Toronto are 34-10 at home, while Philadelphia are 22-21 on the road. Philadelphia have a better offense with 115.6 ppg to Toronto’s 114, while Toronto have a better defense, allowing 107.4 ppg to Philadelphia’s 112.4. Both squads have almost the same accuracy from the field (47.4% to 47.2%), while Toronto have a better accuracy from behind the arc (36.6% to 35.8%). Toronto commit fewer turnovers per game (13.3 to 14.5), while Philadelphia are better in rebounding (48.1 to 45.2) and in assists per game (26.9 to 25.5). Toronto have won easily both previous home games and expect them to win once again today by more than 7 points.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors Game 1 Prediction: Toronto Raptors -6.5 (-110)