Toronto (0-1) at Philadelphia (1-0)
When: Monday, April 18th, 2022
Where: Wells Fargo Center,
Philadelphia, PA
Time: 7:30 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -6.5/220.5
Game 1 between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers was a one-sided affair and the teams turn right around to play Game 2 on Monday night. The 76ers got a sparkling performance from Tyrese Maxey in a 131-111 route of the Raptors in Saturday’s Game 1. Maxey scored 38 points, one shy of his career high, and became the 11th player 21 years or younger to score 35 points in a playoff game. Toronto knows it’s only one game, but now the team is dealing with some injury concerns. Scottie Barnes left early in the fourth quarter after Joel Embiid landed on his left foot. X-Rays were negative and Barnes’ status is up in the air for Game 2. Thad Young also left at halftime with a sprained left thumb, while Gary Trent missed Sunday’s practice with a non-COVID illness.
Based on the dominating performance and injury concerns for Toronto, the 76ers are favored by seven points in Game 2 after covering a 4.5-point spread on Saturday. The 76ers win was their first ATS cover against the Raptors since Feb. 23, 2021 – a string of five in a row for Toronto. The Over has now cashed in four of the last five after the total flew over in Game 1. The Sixers are now 3-1 ATS in their last four home games after going 17-24 ATS at Wells Fargo Center during the regular season. Toronto is still an impressive 26-16 ATS away from home on the season.
Toronto coach Nick Nurse hinted at adding someone to the rotation to handle the ball such as Malachi Flynn and Armoni Brooks if Barnes and Trent Jr. can’t go. Every Raptors starter on Saturday had a plus/minus of minus -11 or worse. Trent was way off, hitting just 2-for-11, but everyone else in the starting lineup shot well. Pascal Siakam led with 24 points, while Fred VanVleet had 18 points and six assists. Where Toronto must improve is in transition defense, as the Raptors gave up 20 fast break points to Philly while they only had 10. The Over is 3-1 in Toronto’s last four games overall.
The 76ers easily won Game 1 despite their best player having an off night. All-Star Joel Embiid had just 19 points on 5-of-15 shooting, although he did add 15 rebounds. James Harden entered in a shooting slump and was 6-for-17 for 22 points but added 14 assists. Maxey’s 38 points were more than he scored in seven games against the Hawks in last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals (25 points). Maxey was 14-for-21 shooting from the field in his breakout playoff performance. Tobias Harris contributed 26 points with six assists and six rebounds.
The 76ers looked terrific in Game 1 despite sub-par performances from their two best players. That spells trouble for Toronto. The Raptors also have some injury concerns that could deplete their depth. I’ll lay the points.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for today.
Pick: 76ers -7
