Atlantic division rivals Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors meet for the last time in the regular season. Check out our preview below of this showdown between the Sixers and the Raptors north of the border.
The Sixers are gaining steam once again just in time for the playoffs. They are now fully recovered from a three-game losing skid to close out March, as they have won three games in a row to start the month of April. The last time they were on the court, the Sixers tamed the Indiana Pacers in a 131-122 road win. Joel Embiid blasted the Cavs for 45 points with 13 rebounds in just 39 minutes. The MVP candidate had 36 points when the Sixers took down Toronto on the road late last December in a 114-109 win. But the Sixers are more than just about Embiid, as they still have James Harden, Tobias Harris, and Tyrese Maxey, each capable of exploding on any given night. Embiid and Harden are also excellent free-throw generators, largely explaining why the Sixers are No. 1 in the NBA in free-throws made and third in free-throw attempts per game.
The Under is 3-1 in Philly’s last four games away from the City of Brotherly Love.
Toronto is back on track after a recent 114-109 loss at the hands of the Miami Heat at home. The Raptors rebounded right away from that defeat and blew out the Atlanta Hawks at home last Tuesday to the tune of a 118-108 score. Pascal Siakam led the way for the Raps, scoring 31 points on 12/23 shooting and finishing with 13 boards, 6 assists, a steal, and a block in 40 minutes. Siakam has proven to be a handful for Philly, but so are the likes of Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. But with Embiid coming to town, it’s Siakam and the other Toronto bigs who will have to step up. Siakam can expect help from Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa in defending the Cameroonian. Both Boucher and Achiuwa are coming off solid outings, having combined for 29 points in the win over Atlanta. Toronto also has the upper hand in the regular-season series with two wins in three meetings with the Sixers.
The Raptors are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games against Philadelphia, dating back to 2021.
