What is going on with the Toronto Raptors? They are supposed to be a stronger playoff performer with Kawhi Leonard in tow, but that was simply not the case in the last two games against the Philadelphia 76ers, who have taken control of the series. The Raptors don’t want to come home for Game 5 trailing the Sixers in the series, 3-1, but can they prevent that from happening? Or will Philly push Toronto to the edge of elimination. Going into the game, the sportsbook has a little (just a little) faith in the Raptors, favoring them by 1.5 points. See the latest odds for the remaining teams to win the NBA title this year here.
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Betting Preview for Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers NBA Playoff Round 2 Game 4 on May 5, 2019
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
When: Sunday, May 5, 2019, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Toronto Raptors (-1.5) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (+1.5) – view all NBA lines
Series: 2-1 in favor of the 76ers
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Toronto Raptors (58-24 Regular Season)
Kyle Lowry will have to stay away from social media for some time after the kind of performance he churned out in Toronto’s 116-95 Game 3 loss to Philadelphia. Lowry, who is earning $31 million this season, made Raptors fans pull their hairs by finishing the contest with seven points on 2-for-10 shooting from the field. He also went 0-for-4 from deep and was basically non-existent in the game. The Raptors need their All-Star point guard to play like the All-Star that he is, especially with the Sixers gaining confidence. Lowry’s poor showing was a stark contrast with Kawhi Leonard’s brilliant output, albeit in a loss. Leonard had 33 points on 13-for-22 shooting. Lowry aside, Toronto needs Marc Gasol to be more assertive on offense. He passed up on several scoring chances and finished with only seven points and six rebounds in Game 3. His main job is slowing down Joel Embiid, but everyone knows he is capable of doing heavy damage on both ends of the floor.
The Raptors, who are averaging 103.0 points in the playoffs, are 6-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the Philadelphia 76ers (51-31 Regular Season)
Joel Embiid was a walking wrecking ball in Game 3. After struggling a bit in Game 2 due to a stomach issue. Embiid played like a man possessed on Thursday, posting 33 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and five blocks in just 28 minutes of floor duty. Embiid didn’t care that Toronto had two elite big men in Gasol and Serge Ibaka in the shaded area, as he tore the Raptors’ interior defense. Anchored by Embiid, Philadelphia had 52 points in the paint to just 36 by Toronto. So long as Embiid is healthy, the Sixers will always have a dependable go-to option on offense, though, it’s not like they don’t have other capable sources of buckets. They have Jimmy Butler, who had 30 points in Game 2 and 22 in Game 3. Thus far in the series, Embiid is averaging 20.3 points and 8.0 rebounds, while Butler is putting up 20.7 points on 44.9 percent shooting from the field.
The Sixers are 3-0 ATS in their last three home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Toronto wins, 110-107.
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