Toronto (1-2) at Philadelphia (2-1)
When: Sunday, May 5th, 2019
Where: Wells Fargo Center,
Philadelphia, PA
Time: 3:30 ET | TV: ABC
Opening Odds: Toronto -1/215
Joel Embiid has been battling knee issues and a stomach ailment during the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Toronto Raptors, but looked completely healthy in Game 3. Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers defense overwhelmed the Raptors in the 116-95 triumph at Wells Fargo Center Thursday to take a 2-1 series lead heading into Sunday’s Game 3. Embiid had a playoff career-high 33 points to go along with 10 rebounds and five blocked shots in only 28 minutes to become the first player since Boston Celtics forward Kevin McHale to post at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in less than 30 minutes in a playoff game. Head coach Brett Brown was more impressed with Embiid’s defensive prowess in Game 3. “He is our crown jewel defensively, and I suppose offensively, too,” Brown said. “But certainly defensively. And his rim protection and blocking shot ability tonight stood out as much to me as anything in an incredible performance.” Guard Jimmy Butler was a big part of the offense Thursday, scoring 22 points and added nine rebounds and nine assists while playing suffocating defense. The Sixers shot 51.2 percent from the field in Game 3 – their 18th straight playoff victory when shooting at least 50 percent. Toronto could be in a real predicament Sunday as forward Pascal Siakam is doubtful with a right calf contusion. The 25-year-old averaged 23.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 36.3 minutes through the first three games. The Raptors were led by Kawhi Leonard Thursday (33 points) and he’s scored at least 30 points in five games in the playoffs, which is tied for the league lead with Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant.
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The Raptors had held opponents under 100 points in six straight playoff games before letting up in the fourth quarter Thursday. Offensively, All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, who is shooting 36.1 percent from the floor in the series, needs to pick it up – and he knows it. “Me personally, I’ve got to play better,” Lowry told reporters. “I can’t go out there and shoot 2-for-10 and miss open threes.” Leonard is doing all he can to pick up the slack and is averaging 37.7 points on 60.9 percent shooting in the series. Center Marc Gasol is just 6-of-20 from the floor in the series after scoring seven points on Thursday and had a -26 rating.
Embiid was a combined 7-of-25 from the floor in the first two games of the series, but hit 9-of-18 in Game 3, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Butler is averaging 26 points, 9.5 rebounds and seven assists in the last two contests after being held in check in Game 1. Guard Ben Simmons has been quiet in the series but committed a postseason-low one turnover on Thursday and dished-out seven assists.
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Even with Siakam in the lineup, I expect more of the same from this Philadelphia team who really plays loose at home. If Siakam doesn’t play, this could get ugly unless Lowry starts finding the bottom of the net. I like the Sixers to win this game and take full control of this series.
Pick: 76ers -2
Raptors are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Raptors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Raptors are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 Sunday games.
Raptors are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Raptors are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 Conference Semifinals games.
Raptors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Atlantic.
76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
76ers are 23-7 ATS in their last 30 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
76ers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Sunday games.
76ers are 29-14 ATS in their last 43 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
76ers are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 5-0-1 in Raptors last 6 road games.
Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 5-0-1 in Raptors last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-0 in Raptors last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Under is 3-0-1 in Raptors last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 3-0-1 in Raptors last 4 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 8-1 in Raptors last 9 overall.
Under is 7-1 in Raptors last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 Sunday games.
Under is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 4-1-1 in Raptors last 6 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 4-1-1 in Raptors last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
Under is 7-3-1 in Raptors last 11 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 5-0 in 76ers last 5 overall.
Under is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-0 in 76ers last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 5-0 in 76ers last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Under is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 games following a ATS win.
Under is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 7-1 in 76ers last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 Conference Semifinals games.
Under is 8-2 in 76ers last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 7-2 in 76ers last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Home team is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Raptors are 14-6 ATS in the last 20 meetings.
Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Philadelphia.
Favorite is 21-9 ATS in the last 30 meetings.
Raptors are 27-13-2 ATS in the last 42 meetings in Philadelphia.
