Philadelphia (3-2) at Toronto (2-3)
When: Thursday, April 28th, 2022
Where: Scotiabank Arena,
Toronto, Ontario
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -2.5/210
History should be on the Philadelphia 76ers’ side, but the Toronto Raptors are aiming to make NBA history in their first round series. Facing elimination, the Raptors turned in an impressive 103-88 win at Philadelphia in Game 5 to force one final game at home in this series, and hope to play one more road game as well. We all know that no team has ever come back from down 3-0 to win a playoff series and only a handful have rallied from down 3-1 to win. Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers is the only coach in league history to lose three series’ when leading 3-1 – once with the Orlando Magic and twice with the Los Angeles Clippers. The pressure is mounting in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Raptors win on Monday came without 20.3-point scorer Fred VanVleet (strained hip), who is doubtful for Thursday’s Game 6. Toronto used a strong defensive effort in staving off elimination and have limited Philadelphia’s stars. James Harden and Tyrese Maxey have struggled mightily. Maxey, who scored 38 points in Game 1, was held to 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting in Game 5. Harden had 15 points in Game 5 on 4-of-11 shooting, while committing five turnovers. Toronto limited the Sixers to just 38.3 percent shooting from the field and outscored Philly 56-36 in the paint. The 76ers are now just 5-15 ATS in their last 20 trips to Ontario.
The Sixers looked flat in Game 5 at home, even drawing boos from the Philly faithful. Joel Embiid is playing through a torn ligament in his right thumb, but still led the team with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Embiid also said in the postgame press conference that he wants Harden to be more aggressive as a scorer. Harden is only averaging 18.4 points on just 37.3 percent shooting in the series. Matisse Thybulle had only two points off the bench, and he will miss Game 6 because he’s not vaccinated. Despite their recent play, the Sixers are still 1.5-point favorites in this upcoming game.
The Raptors started one guard in Game 5 in Gary Trent and four forwards with Khem Birch and Scottie Barnes back in the starting lineup. Barnes had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists, with Birch managing just seven points in 11 minutes. Pascal Siakam, who got off to a slow start in the series, contributed 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Precious Achiuwa recorded 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench and was great in limiting Embiid. With VanVleet not expected to play, Siakam, OG Anunoby and Trent Jr. will carry the bulk of the offensive load for the Raptors.
This series has completely turned around and the Raptors have all the momentum. The Sixers have all the pressure and don’t play well in Toronto. I think this is going back to Philadelphia for a Game 7 on Saturday.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for today.
Pick: Raptors +1.5
