The Toronto Raptors welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to Scotiabank Arena on Friday night. These Eastern Conference foes faced off in the playoffs last season and also played against each other on Wednesday with the Raptors cruising to victory.
Oddsmakers are expecting a close contest in the rematch with NBA odds opening with the Raps as slim 1.5-point home underdogs. Here are my best free 76ers vs. Raptors NBA picks and predictions for October 28.
76ers vs Raptors best odds
76ers vs Raptors picks and predictions
The Raptors dismantled the 76ers on Wednesday, and while it won't be easy for them to beat a talented Sixers team twice in a row, they match up very well against them.
When these teams faced off in the playoffs in April, the 76ers eliminated them in six games with an emphatic 132-97 rout in Game 6. That said, Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet missed the final two and a half games with a hip injury, and Toronto being at full strength at home during the regular season is a different story.
The 76ers gave Joel Embiid a massive workload in that series and the All-NBA big man typically plays far fewer minutes in the regular season with wear-and-tear on his body always a concern.
Embiid was arguably the biggest deciding factor in that series, with the Raptors lacking a true No. 1 option to take over in crunch time. That might have changed this season with the continued development of Pascal Siakam, who is showing more of an ability to create both his own shot and plays for others.
The Raps also play with more energy and lead the league with 21 points per game in transition. That's a big advantage on an older 76ers squad that doesn't run the floor anywhere near as well.
My best bet: Raptors +1.5 (-107 at PointsBet)
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76ers vs Raptors spread analysis
The Raptors got off to a fast start against the 76ers on Wednesday night and ended up winning 119-109. The Sixers shot 51% from the floor, with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey leading the team with 31 points apiece.
The Raps were even more efficient on offense, shooting 55% from the floor and with every starter dropping at least 15 points. Toronto also had a 39-34 edge on the glass, which has been one of Philadelphia's biggest weaknesses.
Despite the presence of one of the league's best big men, the 76ers are just 28th in the league in rebounding rate this season, and last year they were 20th.
That's just one of several problems with this Philadelphia squad that have resulted in a 1-4 start to the year. The Sixers have been far too reliant on Embiid, Harden, and Maxey going iso on every possession, so their ball movement has been stagnant and their bench doesn't produce enough.
Toronto improved its record to 3-2 SU (4-1 ATS) after Wednesday's victory. The Raps have also been far too reliant on their starting five, but it's helpful that all five of them are capable of filling up the hoop. Their starters can also mostly defend multiple positions on defense, shoot from range, and run the floor.
76ers vs Raptors Over/Under analysis
It says a lot that these sides combined to shoot a sizzling 52.8% from the field (including 43.8% from long range) on Wednesday and still totaled a relatively modest 128 points.
These are two of the slowest teams in the league, with Toronto 27th in pace and Philadelphia just ahead of them.
These are also two of the best teams when it comes to ball security, with the Raptors second in the league in turnover rate and the 76ers third (almost shocking for a team with James Harden at the point). That slow and cautious approach on offense means fewer possessions and fewer quick and easy buckets in transition off turnovers.
Prior to Wednesday, the Sixers had allowed just 103.3 ppg on 43.7% shooting in their previous three games. The Raptors had been similarly stingy over their previous three contests, holding foes to 103.7 ppg on 43.9% shooting.
The Under had also cashed in four of the previous five meetings, although those games were in the postseason where offenses tend to slow down and defensive intensity ramps up.
76ers vs Raptors betting trend to know
The 76ers are 3-14-1 ATS in their last 18 road games. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Raptors.
76ers vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Friday, October 28, 2022 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBCS-PHI, Sportsnet |
76ers vs Raptors key injuries
