The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Toronto Raptors in Friday night action in a game with seeding implications in the East. The Sixers are guaranteed a playoff spot but could end up with the top seed if everything goes their way. Meanwhile, if they aren’t careful, the Raptors are in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. The NBA lines list the Sixers are five-point home favorites with a total of 224½.
Raptors Don’t Travel Well
The Raptors are many things, and while a playoff team may be one of them, one thing they are not is a good road team. The Raptors have an abysmal 12-24 straight-up record on the road, with one single win during March. So while they may be going for their seventh win in the last nine games, all six victories were at home.
From an NBA betting standpoint, it’s the same story. Toronto has the fifth worst record against the spread (ATS), going 14-21-1, and a gut-wrenching return on investment (ROI) of -22.98%. If you wagered on the Raptors to win every road game this season, you’d be down -9.10 units. The NBA betting spread lists Toronto as a five-point underdog in a risky spot for bettors.
The NBA news regarding the Raptors’ injuries is another negative for this team. As of Friday morning, Dalano Banton, Joe Wieskamp, Gary Trent Jr., and Otto Porter Jr. are out of action. Meanwhile, Will Barton is questionable. There may not be any superstars among the injured players, but the Raptors will struggle without the depth they provide.
Sixers Stumbling Down the Stretch
The Raptors are not the only team struggling on the road right now, as the Sixers lost their previous three away games. They come into this match with a 2-4 record in their last six because of an unsuccessful road trip. But the Sixers are back home on Friday and ready to fend off the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third seed in the East. Philly is also within striking distance of the Boston Celtics in second.
But I don’t care about their road woes because the Sixers are home, where they tend to dominate. Philly owns the third-best ATS record in the NBA at home (24-14) with a spiffy ROI of 20.57%. That trend has remained constant, with a 6-4 ATS record in their last ten games at Wells Fargo Center.
the crib was lit tonight. 🔥
gn from atSixers and this guy! pic.twitter.com/AMZGhSmjPL
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 30, 2023
Another reason to get behind the Sixers is they are reporting zero injuries. Harden had missed some time recently with an Achilles issue but returned on Wednesday to help power the Sixers past the Mavericks.
Raptors vs 76ers Game Injuries
Raptors vs 76ers Head-to-Head
The 76ers hold a 2-1 season series lead over the Raptors with wins in back-to-back games. However, Philly’s victories were tight, and Toronto is 2-1 ATS as underdogs on the NBA betting lines. The Over/Under is 1-2 in that span.
Raptors vs 76ers Game Information
- Game: Raptors (38-38) vs 76ers (50-26)
- Location Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
- Day/Time: Friday, March 31st, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Raptors vs 76ers Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Raptors vs 76ers Betting Lines
Raptors vs 76ers Picks and Prediction
The Raptors continue to prove that they cannot produce at a high level when playing on the road. My NBA picks for Friday reflect that, and I will ride the 76ers to victory.
The Toronto Raptors are listed at +163 in our Vegas NBA lines. If you wager $100 on the Raptors, you can win $163. The Philadelphia 76ers are -190, offering a chance to win $53 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Raptors a 38.02% chance to win, with the 76ers at 65.52%.
Raptors vs 76ers Trends
Raptors vs 76ers Edge
Raptors vs 76ers Results
Raptors vs 76ers Game Summary
