Raptors vs 76ers Picks and Predictions: Embiid Pours Salt in Raptors' Wounds

If the wheels haven’t come all the way off yet for the slumping Toronto Raptors, they’re certainly wobbling ahead of tonight’s matchup with the in-form Philadelphia 76ers.

The Raptors have lost five in a row and were always second-best last night against a Steph Curry-less Golden State Warriors team, losing 126-110 despite 27 points from Pascal Siakam. Make no mistake, the pressure is mounting in Toronto.

Joel Embiid and the 76ers are heading in the opposite direction after extending their winning run to four by beating those same Warriors on Friday night. After a sloppy start, they’re now nipping at the heels of the Eastern Conference leaders. 

Learn more in our free NBA picks and predictions for tonight’s showdown.

Raptors vs 76ers best odds

Raptors vs 76ers picks and predictions

The Joel Embiid revenge tour — after losing out to Nikola Jokic for MVP last year — failed to get off the ground at the start of this season. His efficiency was down and his conditioning needed an uptick.

But Embiid has cranked things up in December, looking every inch an MVP contender with six straight games of over 30 points, highlighted by a 53-point masterpiece against the Charlotte Hornets. With James Harden pulling the strings, Philadelphia is getting Embiid the ball in great spots, and he’s come alive at the free-throw line (a combined 36 attempts over his last three games).

The Raptors are well-versed in facing Embiid and will likely throw a string of smaller defenders at him, with a steady dose of double teams when he catches the ball in the post. But we’ve seen that movie before in the 2022 playoffs — Embiid is just too big and too skilled at this point in his career.

Whether Nick Nurse turns to his more traditional center options, like rookie Christian Koloko or Khem Birch, or plays smaller with Pascal Siakam or Scottie Barnes in that spot, Embiid is a matchup nightmare with his ability to power to the rim or cash in with short jump shots.

I’m picking Embiid for another monster night — he’s gone past this Over/Under line in five of his past six games and I can’t see a reeling Toronto team slowing him down.

My best bet: Joel Embiid Over 32.5 Points (-115 at PointsBet)

Raptors vs 76ers spread analysis

The Raptors are on an ugly run — and that extends to their attempts at covering spreads. Toronto has failed to cover in its last four road games and is 0-5 ATS in its last five games against teams (like Philadelphia) with a winning record.

Meanwhile, the 76ers are making the most of their current seven-game homestand, winning their first four. They’ve covered the spread in each of those games, riding Embiid’s offensive fireworks and flashes of vintage Harden.

As long as Shake Milton and Georges Niang continue to hit shots off the bench, Philadelphia looks like good value to extend Toronto’s rough December, especially with the visitors’ bench production being so much more erratic. It's worth noting that Gary Trent Jr.’s possible return tonight would be a big boost for Toronto's spacing.

For a Raptors team short on confidence, the 6.5-point line is a big ask if you’re laying the points. Toronto was carved up defensively by Jordan Poole last night and trailed by 15+ points for most of the night. That doesn’t bode well for the visitors on the second night of a back-to-back set here without O.G. Anunoby, their best defender.

Raptors vs 76ers Over/Under analysis

Though the explosive Tyrese Maxey is still out, the 76ers have scored over 115 points in their last five games, and they’ve piled up four home wins in a row by a double-digit margin.

With Embiid rolling, he’s either getting point-blank looks at the rim or finding open teammates as defenses collapse around him. He’ll have a size and strength advantage over whoever the Raptors put on him, and Harden will have a similar edge when guarded by Fred VanVleet. 

Even during this alarming slide, Toronto has put up points. The Raptors went shot-for-shot with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on Friday, but their defensive struggles flared up again last night against the Warriors. There’s every reason to expect the 76ers to put up at least 120 points tonight. 

Though this Philadelphia offense looks to be in a great rhythm, keep in mind that these teams know each other well from their playoff series. If you’re looking for a reason to take the Under, it’s 5-2 in the last seven meetings and 5-1 in the 76ers’ last six games.

Raptors vs 76ers betting trend to know

Few teams are more reliable than Philadelphia when it comes to covering the spread on its home floor. The 76ers are on an 11-game ATS hot streak at Wells Fargo Center. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. 76ers.

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