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USATSI

No. 4 Philadelphia took a 7-5 lead less than three minutes into Game 1 of its Eastern Conference series against No. 5 Toronto on Saturday and never trailed again. The 76ers will try to take a 2-0 lead in the series when the teams square off in Game 2 on Monday night. Philadelphia point guard Tyrese Maxey poured in 38 points on 14 of 21 shooting in the series opener.

Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The 76ers are listed as 7.5-point favorites in the latest 76ers vs. Raptors odds from Caesars Sportsbook, with the over-under set at 216.5. Before you make any Raptors vs. 76ers picks and NBA predictions, be sure to see the NBA playoff 2022 predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the first full week of the 2022 NBA playoffs on a stunning 86-56 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $2,400. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Raptors vs. Sixers, and just locked in its picks and NBA Playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Sixers vs. Raptors:

  • 76ers vs. Raptors spread: 76ers -7.5
  • 76ers vs. Raptors over-under: 216.5 points
  • 76ers vs. Raptors money line: 76ers -340, Raptors +270
  • TOR: The Raptors are 5-5 against the spread in the last 10 games
  • PHI: The 76ers are 3-7 against the spread in the last 10 games

Why the Raptors can cover

Toronto is well-coached and able to overcome personnel shortcomings by winning on the margins. The Raptors finished in the top three of the NBA in several key categories on offense. Toronto committed only 12.5 turnovers and 6.7 live-ball turnovers per game, No. 2 in the league in both areas. The Raptors also generated 15.8 fast break points per game, with a stellar offensive rebound rate of 32.5 percent and 16.5 second-chance points per game. 

Defensively, Toronto is stingy, allowing only 109.9 points per 100 possessions in 2021-22. The Raptors ranked in the top two of the NBA in turnovers created (15.8 per game), steals (9.0 per game), and points off turnovers (19.0 per game). Toronto also ranked in the top ten of the NBA in fast break points allowed (11.7 per game) and points in the paint allowed (45.1 per game), with opponents taking only 21.2 free throw attempts per game.

Why the 76ers can cover

Toronto was blitzed in the first game of the series and is now expected to be shorthanded for Game 2. Starting shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. (illness) and starting power forward Scottie Barnes (ankle) are both doubtful for Monday night's game. The Raptors were already having trouble matching Philadelphia's weapons, so this is going to be tough to overcome.

Center Joel Embiid, who is the NBA's leading scorer with 30.6 points per game, was held to 19 points on 5 of 15 shooting in Game 1, yet the 76ers still won by 20 points. Philadelphia has dominated Toronto at home, covering the spread in five of the last seven meetings. The Raptors have only covered the spread twice in their last six games overall. 

How to make Raptors vs. 76ers picks

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting 217 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's 76ers vs. Raptors pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Raptors vs. Sixers? And which side of the spread hits in over 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Raptors vs. 76ers spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.