Philadelphia (2-2) at Toronto (2-2)
When: Tuesday, May 7th, 2019
Where: Scotiabank Arena,
Toronto, Ontario
Time: 8:00 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Toronto -6.5/211.5
The Philadelphia 76ers had a dominant effort in Game 3 and were looking to follow that up in Game 4 to take full command of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, but the Toronto Raptors had other ideas. Kawhi Leonard put forth another superb performance and is a big reason why this series is heading back to Toronto tied instead of down 3-1. The forward scored 39 points and brought down 14 rebounds Sunday in a 101-96 road victory over the 76ers in Game 4. In the series, Leonard is averaging 38 points and nine rebounds a game and shooting 61.8 percent from the field, including 46.4 percent from beyond the arc. The Sixers won Games 2 and 3 after being blown out in the opener. They dominated the Raptors 116-95 in Game 3 at Philadelphia, but for Game 4 the Raptors changed their gameplan a bit partially because Pascal Siakam, who was hampered by a calf injury, was held to nine points and three rebounds. Head coach Nick Nurse used Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka together for 25 minutes Sunday and received 16 points and five rebounds from Gasol and 12 points and nine rebounds out of Ibaka. The 76ers hope Joel Embiid will be healthy on Tuesday and he was ill for Game 4 and was limited to 11 points on 2-for-7 shooting from the field, eight rebounds and seven assists in 35 minutes. Embiid, who missed three straight free throws late in the fourth quarter Sunday and then was called for traveling, had a cold and a headache and said that he felt bad “everywhere.” “I didn’t have a good night; didn’t sleep,” Embiid said. “Was throwing up. I needed an IV at 6 in the morning. I tried to play and tried to get the win. Obviously, it wasn’t enough. … It doesn’t really matter. Once I step on the court, I have to do a better job, no matter what the situation is.” Jimmy Butler followed-up a terrific Game 3 with 29 points and 11 rebounds Sunday.
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The 76ers know they missed a big opportunity to take command of the series in Game 4 and will need Embiid to be his normal-self for the Sixers to pull off the upset Tuesday. Another player who could use a better performance is foward Tobias Harris, who had a series-best 16 points in Game 4, but was just 7-of-23 shooting and is averaging 13 points while going 21-of-62 from the field in the series. Shooting guard JJ Redick had a productive 19 points on Sunday, draining 4-of-7 from 3-point territory.
Leonard wasn’t the only reason Toronto bounced back strongly from the poor Game 3 performance. The Raptors defense held Philadelphia to 40.2 percent shooting from the field in Game 4. Siakam struggled to 2-of-10 shooting after averaging 23.3 points over the first three games and the Raptors are hoping his calf is better for Tuesday. Point guard Kyle Lowry continues to struggle from the floor and is just 4-of-20 from 3-point range while averaging 12.5 points and 6.3 assists in the series – well below his season averages.
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Toronto took all the momentum away from Philadelphia on Sunday, but the Sixers aren’t dead yet. I expect Embiid to be healthier and more aggressive like he was in Game 3. The Sixers finally broke their 14-game losing streak in Toronto in Game 2 and will keep this one close. Take the points.
Pick: 76ers +6
76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss.
76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.
76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
76ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
76ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
76ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Atlantic.
76ers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
76ers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Conference Semifinals games.
Raptors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.
Raptors are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 Tuesday games.
Raptors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Raptors are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Raptors are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Raptors are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
Raptors are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 Conference Semifinals games.
Under is 6-0 in 76ers last 6 overall.
Under is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-0 in 76ers last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 6-0 in 76ers last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Under is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
Under is 5-0 in 76ers last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 7-1 in 76ers last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 16-5 in 76ers last 21 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 6-2 in 76ers last 8 Tuesday games.
Under is 11-4 in 76ers last 15 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 8-3 in 76ers last 11 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 5-2 in 76ers last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 overall.
Under is 5-0 in Raptors last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 6-0 in Raptors last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
Under is 5-0 in Raptors last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 8-1 in Raptors last 9 Tuesday games.
Under is 7-1-1 in Raptors last 9 games following a straight up win.
Under is 6-1-1 in Raptors last 8 games following a ATS win.
Under is 6-1 in Raptors last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Raptors last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 home games.
Under is 3-1-1 in Raptors last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Toronto.
Home team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
76ers are 6-15 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
76ers are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Toronto.
