On Monday night, the Philadelphia 76ers head to the scene of the crime. They’re back in Toronto for the first time since Kawhi Leonard’s miraculous shot ended the Sixers’ season. Let’s dig into this one in our Sixers-Raptors betting preview.

At 11-5, the Sixers remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, just 0.5 games behind the the Raptors for a three-way tie for second in the conference.

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Kawhi Who?

Before the champagne cork was popped in the locker room following the Raptors’ NBA Finals victory over the Golden State Warriors, the questions about Kawhi Leonard’s future overshadowed the postgame reactions. Leonard took his time this offseason before heading home to LA, where he formed a super team with Paul George. Virtually no one gave the Raptors a shot to contend in the Eastern Conference. Last season’s Most Improved Player Pascal Siakam could be a dark horse candidate for MVP if the continues to lead this Toronto squad higher in the top half of the Eastern Conference standings. He’s seen a season-over-season increase in his points per game (25.7 from 16.9), rebounds per game (8.5 from 6.9) and assists per game (4.1 from 3.1). Fred VanVleet has elevated his game and is averaging a career high in points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game. Nick Nurse has his squad playing arguably better team ball than they did with “The Claw”.

 

Sixers vs. Raptors Odds

Here’s the line for the Sixers and Heat at DraftKings Sportsbook PA:

  • Spread: Sixers -1.5, Raptors +1.5
  • Moneyline: Sixers -125, Raptors +106
  • Total: 212.5

 

Bets We Like With a Sixers Win

Sixers Win and Over Total Points (+255, DraftKings)

If you want a no-narrative analysis of this one, FiveThirtyEight gives the Sixers a 56% chance of winning with a -1.5 point line. With how both teams have shot the rock in recent games, the over is a solid bet, while the Sixers are 11-1 as the favorites and the Raptors are just 2-4 as the underdogs.

You can get this one at DraftKings Sportsbook by clicking here.

Bets We Like Independent of Outcome

Raptors Cover the Spread and Over Total Points(+275, DraftKings)

The Raptors have covered the spread in nine of the past twelve games they’ve played against the Sixers at home. The Raptors have seen the total points go over the threshold in four consecutive home games.

You can get this one at DraftKings Sportsbook by clicking here.

Five Sixers Starters to Score 76+ Combined Points (+100, Fox Bet)

It was announced today that the Sixers and FOX Bet entered into an official partnership, marking the first time an NBA team has partnered with a mobile sports book. In an effort to presumably promote the partnership, Fox Bet has boosted this bet from -200 to +100, which is great value. The Sixers’ starters combined for 94 points in a blowout win over Miami on Saturday and 92 in an eleven-point victory over the Spurs in which they were missing Josh Richardson. The only thing working against this bet is that Joel Embiid has posted 21 or fewer points in each of the past five games in Toronto.

New users at FOX Bet can get a $20 free bet with no deposit and a $100 deposit match when they sign up here.

 

Shot in the Dark

Tobias Harris Over 2.5 Made 3-Point Field Goals and Sixers Win (+700)

Given Joel Embiid’s scoring struggles in Toronto and the likelihood that he’ll be locked down by Marc Gasol, the Sixers will likely look to Tobias Harris to should the scoring load. You can find this bet on FOX Bet.

 

Sixers vs. Raptors Prediction

The Raptors cover the spread, potentially winning outright.

Pick: Raptors cover.