Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors Game 6 Betting Preview
The Philadelphia 76ers messed around and found out. The Sixers were up 3-0, cruising towards the sweep in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup with the Toronto Raptors, but were unable to close things out in neither Game 4 (110-102) nor Game 5 (103-88) and now head back North in danger of this series getting to 3-3.
The Toronto Raptors got the hard one, pulling away for a 15-point win on the road on Monday night to make the series 3-2. Now, if the Raptors can take care of business at home, they’ll head back to Philly for a Game 7 where anything can happen. That would make Toronto the first team in NBA history to come all the way back from down 3-0 to win a series.
It’s Slipping Away from Philadelphia
The knuckles are getting a little whiter for the Sixers, who coasted into last weekend looking for a sweep and extra rest as they prepared for a likely second-round matchup with the Miami Heat. What a difference a couple of games makes, though, as now Philadelphia is starting to feel the pressure of that 3-0 series lead slipping away, now having to get a close out in Toronto to avoid a Game 7.
Monday’s loss was the big one for the Sixers – and it was a bad one. Joel Embiid had 20 points and 11 rebounds – which is good but not great for a supposed MVP candidate. Embiid may be feeling the effects of a torn thumb ligament that will require offseason surgery, as he’s been held to 22 points or less in three of five in this series. James Harden has been a virtual non-factor averaging just 18.4 ppg this round.
Toronto Building Something
Fighting back from an 0-3 deficit to force a Game 7 would be a great accomplishment for Toronto, but first things first, they have to win on Thursday night.
The Raptors are 25-18 at home on the season but did lose Game 3 at Scotiabank Arena 104-101 (OT) and were in a very close game before pulling away late 110-102 in Game 4.
Monday’s win was impressive mostly because the Raptors were playing without starting PG Fred VanVleet, who missed that game and is questionable Thursday with a hip flexor injury – not to mention they were on the road in front of a crowd clamoring for a series closeout.
Pascal Siakam stepped up with a 23/10/7 line to lead a balanced Toronto attack that had five players score at least 12 points.
Sixers/Raptors Pick and Prediction
The NBA (and television ratings) loves a Game 7, but the 76ers are still -1.5 favorites on the road on Thursday night. Embiid has had an extra off day to rest his thumb, but that’s the type of injury that only gets better with surgery, not a night off.
Toronto is dangerous at home with or without VanVleet, and they’ve got the momentum of history behind them trying to be the first team to come back from 0-3 and win a series. Take Toronto +1.5!