The Toronto Raptors host the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of an Eastern Conference semi-final series on Sunday. Here’s a sports betting recap of the series thus far and a look ahead to today’s finale.
On Sunday, fans and bettors are treated to the seventh game of a series that ebbed and flowed over the first six games. Stars shined. Road teams stole victories. Points have come at a premium.
The Sixers won an all-important Game 6 at the Wells Fargo Center — pushing the series to Game 7 up north in the Raptors’ Scotiabank Arena. The Sixers were 1.5-point underdogs in the game but won outright with a final score of 112-101. Jimmy Butler continued to shine with 25 points in the game while the team received double-digit contributions from six other players. Joel Embiid made a massive impact in 36 minutes despite battling illness and injury — finishing the game with a +40 in +/-.
The Raptors struggled throughout the game — shooting 43% from the field and only 25% from beyond the arc. Embiid clearly made an impact on the glass as well with the Raptors being out-rebounded 34-52.
A move back home could be the elixir for the Raptors. Toronto leads all teams in this playoff round with a home 14.7 +/-. From a shooting perspective, the Raptors shot 36.7% from 3-point range in their first three home games while shooting a dismal 27.7% in Philadelphia.
While Toronto has excelled at home throughout these playoffs, the 6-point spread on FanDuel Sportsbook seems like a hefty total given the health status of all of the 76ers main pieces.
Stat of the Day
Throughout the NBA playoffs thus far, Joel Embiid leads all players (min. 20 MPG) in net rating. Embiid’s status seems cloudy coming into every game — but when he is on the court he means a lot to his team.
Embiid’s net rating is 22.0. For perspective, Embiid’s opponent today — Kawhi Leonard — boasts a net rating of 15.8. Russell Westbrook finished his playoff run with a -10.5 net rating.
Embiid finished Game 6 with a +40 in +/-. That type of impact could make things extremely tough on the Raptors in Game 7.
Prop Shop: Pascal Siakam O/U 20.5 Points
Aside from his earlier injury issue in this series, Pascal Siakam has not made many of the headlines surrounding the series. Teammate Kawhi Leonard continues to be leaned upon heavily, but Siakam remains a steady presense in the Raptors rotation.
Siakam is averaging 20.8 points per game throughout this series with 2 steals per game and 0.5 blocks per game. However, at home, Siakam’s average boosts to 25.0 PPG. While Kawhi Leonard is the main cog, Siakam’s emergence to the Raptors second option seems complete throughout this playoff run. Breakfast Lean: Pascal Siakam Over 20.5 Points — (FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Use Code: GRINDERS1600
- Exciting Brand
- Beginner Friendly
- Use Promo Code RG2K
- Name Your Own Bets
- NJ-CO-MI-IN-IL-WV-IA-VA-NY
- Bet $50, Get $200
- Premium Mobile App
- NJ-CO-MI-VA-IN-TN-AZ-LA-NY
- Bet $20, Get $100
- Use Code "RotoGrinders"
- Great Moneyline Odds
- Risk-Free Bet Pays Cash
- Strong, Trusted Brand
- NJ-IN-IA-AZ-PA-VA
- 2nd Chance Bet up to $500!
- Great Promos
- NY-IN-MI-IL-PA-CO-IA-VA-AZ-LA-NJ
The Breakfast Pick
With exception to Game 4 of the series, all of the games between the Sixers and Raptors finished pretty lopsidedly. The Raptors will likely lean on Kawhi Leonard and his 33.7 PPG average at home while the 76ers will hope or similar contributions from their stars — and a standout performance from Joel Embiid.
Despite the one-sided nature of most games in this series — this is Game 7. The Sixers should get all of the minutes from Joel Embiid they will need to keep this game close. While I like the Raptors to win the series at the -260 ML price, I don’t think I want to lay six points. Breakfast Lean: Philadelphia 76ers +6
Quick Links
Is Fox Sports ready to replace your local bookie?
Good news Hoosiers! Indiana becomes the 10th state to legalize sports betting.
Lawmakers, sports betting operators and league representative gathered in New York for a major sports betting hearing yesterday. Thomas Casale has the full story.
When Friends go in together on NFL SuperContest.
The XFL inked major broadcast deals but what are their plans with sports betting?
2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year odds. Who is the favorite and who is undervalued? Thomas Casale has you covered.
Follow us on Twitter @RGSportsBetting.Have you downloaded the SharpSide app yet? Download it, keep track of your bets, seek and give advice with the rest of the SharpSide community.