Philadelphia 76ers - Toronto Raptors: Bets and Odds for the match on 17 April

In the first game of the Eastern Quarter Finals, the Philadelphia 76ers will host the Toronto Raptors. The match will be held on 17 April at 01:00 AM (+3 UTC). The 76ers finished the season in the fourth rank in the East after a so-so finish to the season and as a result, they have drawn a match-up versus the East’s fifth-placed Raptors, a team that made a firm push to end the season. This is an intriguing battle between two teams with contrasting styles, who will prevail here?

Total: Bookmakers from 22bet suggest that Total Over/Under 216 has the odds of 1.90. The scoring average has drastically gone down during the Postseason and the Play-in tournament was a big example of that. Defenses of course become tighter and when you have to stellar defensive squads, that much total prediction looks right. I believe this will still go “Over 216”. (Total Over 216 for 1.90)

Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict odds of 1.86 for LaMelo Ball going Over 13.5 Rebounds here(At least 14 rebounds). This can be a defensive-oriented game so Joel may end up racking a ton of rebounds here. I’d take the Rebounds Total Over 13.5 here. (Player Props: Player Rebounds: Joel Embiid Over 13.5)

Handicap: Bookmakers at 1xbet see the 76ers as the favorites since they have the home-court advantage here, however, the Raptors have posed some major problems in the former match-ups. They suggest that the handicap of -4.5 in the favor of the 76ers fetches the odds of 2.00 which means the bookmakers predict a close game here. This is why I am “leaning” towards picking the option with “Any Other Score - Win With Difference Less Than 8” for the odds of 2.10. (To Win By (3 Way): Any Other Score - Win With Difference Less Than 8)

This game is available on the NBA League Pass.

Joel Embiid’s size and athleticism will be key here as he can overshadow the “small-ball” lineup of the Raptors. However, the Raptors play brilliant switch and blitz type of defense and can pressure from outside while doubling the amazing Center inside. They will also use towering Chris Boucher off the bench who has been turned on in terms of the defensive end. That is why James Harden will have to knock down his jumpers while Maxey and Harris should take care of the perimeter shooting. The 76ers will need a lot of dribbles to get free against the pesky Raptors defense and that is why some screen action through Tobias and Embiid can be commonplace to free up space. One among Harden, Maxey or Harris will have to shoot at least 42% or so in my opinion.

The Raptors have a menacing defense but they will have their own problems on the offensive end. Joel Embiid will be changing shots when Siakam will get to the rim and that is an essential part of Siakam’s game. Meanwhile, Gary Trent will have to come up with his A-game, as he tends to be inconsistent offensively, concentrating major energy on the defensive end. Fred Van Vleet can create off the dribble at a high rate while rookie Scottie Barnes can also fly high for dunks and also make tough jumpers. OG Anunoby is a terrific two-way player too while Boucher and Achiuwa bring toughness off the bench. Raptors tend to be a bit off from three-point line at times and they can’t afford that against the 76ers team that has Embiid toeing the middle.

• 76ers most likely starting five: PG: James Harden | G: Tyrese Maxey | G: Matisse Thybulle | PF: Tobias Harris | C: Joel Embiid;
• Raptors most likely starting five: G: Gary Trent Jr. | G: Fred Van Vleet | SF: OG Anunoby | F: Scottie Barnes | F: Pascal Siakam..