NBA Odds: 76ers (even)
The Toronto Raptors (37-22) are currently on a five-game losing streak and will compete against the Philadelphia 76ers (13-45) at the Wells Fargo Center. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Monday, Mar. 2 and will air on TSN2 and CSN-PHI.
The 76ers beat the Wizards 89-81 on Friday. Nerlens Noel played a key role, recording 14 points and 13 rebounds to notch his eighth double-double this season. The Raptors, meanwhile, are coming off a 103-98 loss at the hands of the Knicks on Saturday. Lou Williams had a good shooting night, leading the team with 22 points.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, the turnover story could loom large in this showdown. Toronto commits the fifth-fewest errors in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.9%), while Philadelphia’s gambling defense causes the second-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 16.5%).
The Raptors have won all three matchups against the 76ers this season, including a 91-86 victory in their last matchup. Kyle Lowry was the game’s leading scorer with 21 points.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The 76ers look to improve upon their records of 13-45 Straight Up (SU) and 29-27-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 1-10 SU and 4-7 ATS against teams from their own division. An area where the 76ers are particularly strong is shot blocking, where they average 6.0 blocks per game, second in the NBA.
On the other side, Toronto has a SU record of 37-22 and an ATS record of 27-31-1. Most recently, Toronto is a meager 3-7 ATS over the last 10 games. They sport the fifth-ranked scoring offense in the league, averaging 104.3 points per game. The Raptors are getting to the foul line at a high rate, with 1,161 free throws made that ranks third in the NBA.
Toronto beat Philadelphia in their most recent meeting this season, bringing its SU record in the past 10 games to 8-2. The teams have an even record ATS, 5-5. Toronto held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers three times in the last 10, while Philadelphia wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, ATS Winner – TOR
Notes
Philadelphia puts up an average of 90.3 points per game (ranked 30th), while Toronto allows 100.5 points per game (ranked 20th).
Philadelphia ranks 28th in points per home game with 94.4 points, while Toronto ranks 25th in points allowed on the road with 104.0.
In contests where it has given up fewer than 100 points, Philadelphia has a 12-15 record. When Toronto scores fewer than 100, it is a losing 7-14.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the 76ers are just 1-30 this season. Toronto is an exceptional 30-8 when it reaches the century mark.
The 76ers have an offensive rating of 91.7 (ranked 30th). The Raptors rank 18th for their defensive rating of 103.5.
The Philadelphia 76ers average 98.5 possessions per game and .917 points per possession, while the Toronto Raptors earn fewer possessions (97.2) but more points per possession (1.074).
Ranked eighth in the NBA, Toronto has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.4%. Philadelphia has not won a game this season when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage (0-30).
Philadelphia makes an average of 20.4 assists per game (ranked 25th). Toronto ranks higher in assists with 20.6 (ranked 22nd).
The Philadelphia 76ers average 6.0 blocks per game for a rank of second. The Toronto Raptors rank lower (19th), earning 4.5 blocks each game.
The Philadelphia 76ers rank 10th in offensive rebounding, while the Toronto Raptors rank 26th in defensive rebounding.
The Philadelphia 76ers earn an average of 9.8 steals per game and are ranked first. The Toronto Raptors have a 7-5 record when they allow at least 9 steals.
