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Raptors vs 76ers NBA Odds, Preview & Pick for Game 3

Raptors vs 76ers NBA Odds, Preview & Pick for Game 3

Written by on May 2, 2019

NBA News and Rumors
On Monday night, the Philadelphia 76ers picked up a must win in their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Toronto Raptors, winning, 94-89 to draw the series level at a game apiece. Jimmy Butler was the hero for the Sixers, putting up 30 points and 11 boards. The 76ers had not won in Toronto since November 10, 2012, a 14-game skid. Butler had a dozen points in the fourth period alone to help stave off a rally by the Raptors. Toronto trailed by 19 at one point and came all the way back to trail by one, but then they went cold to start the fourth period, and Philadelphia pulled away. Joel Embiid scored 12 points in just 32 minutes as he was dealing with flu-like symptoms, and so a 35-point night for Kawhi Leonard went for naught. Philadelphia won the battle of the rebounds, 53-36, including a 27-11 advantage before halftime. Can Philadelphia make it two in a row as the series moves to the City of Brotherly Love? Or will Toronto seize back home advantage? Don’t miss our NBA Playoffs betting preview.

Raptors vs 76ers NBA Odds, Preview & Pick for Game 3

When: Thursday, May 2, 8:00pm ET Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia TV: ESPN Radio: TSN 1050 AM Toronto / 97.5 FM The Fanatic Philadelphia Live Stream: ESPN+ NBA Odds: Philadelphia -1 / O/U 215 

Why should you bet on Toronto?

Toronto has put up 104.1 points per game in this postseason, so their cold night on Monday was an anomaly. Kawhi Leonard didn’t slow down, though, as he averages 31.3 points and 7.3 boards per game. Pascal Siakam also had a solid Game 2, putting up 22, and he averages 23.3 points and 8.0 boards per game. Kyle Lowry is also scoring in double figures in the playoffs and had 20 in Game 2. The key for Toronto involves getting more stops at crucial points and getting more out of their open looks. The Raptors have won seven of their last eight away from Toronto and have covered the spread in six of those contests. They have also covered in 10 of their last 14 overall — but just twice in their last 10 Eastern Conference semifinal games. In the last 41 meetings between the two teams in Philadelphia, Toronto has covered 27 times — and the Raptors have covered in 14 of the last 19 games that the two teams have played. If you like the Raptors, you see the leadership of Leonard and Lowry overcoming a tough road environment and delivering a win.

Why should you put your money on Philadelphia?

The Philadelphia 76ers are averaging 10 more points per game in these playoffs than the Toronto Raptors are — but they permit 15 more points per game than the Raptors do. Jimmy Butler upped his playoff scoring average to 17 points per game with his 30-point Game 2 performance, but Joel Embiid still leads the team with 21.2 points per game, along with 11.3 rebounds. Ben Simmons is also pulling down seven points per game. Tobias Harris is also scoring in double figures for the Sixers. Philadelphia has also struggled with covering in this round, covering just twice in their last eight Eastern Conference semifinal games. However, they have covered in five of their last six overall, with the exception of Game 1 of this series. Philadelphia got a split in Toronto despite shooting under 40 percent in both games, so if they can get back to where they were in terms of shooting in the first round, they should get a big win.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I like how Philadelphia looks on paper — but I’m worried as to whether they can find their shooting touch in Game 3. The Raptors have come in with hunger — but they went cold at just the wrong times in Game 2. With the series in Philadelphia, I like the 76ers to ride that momentum, but just enough to win. I predict a final score of Philadelphia 108, Toronto 105.
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