NBA Basketball
2019-02-05 - Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Tuesday 5th February 2019 - Tip Off 8pm
British Time: 1am
Preview
5.5 games separate the top four teams in the Eastern Conference as we approach the All-Star Break and two of those clash on Tuesday. The battle for the top Seed in the East could be a huge advantage to whoever earns it with the teams all showing they can be very difficult to knock off in front of their own fans.
The Toronto Raptors (38-16) and the Philadelphia 76ers (34-19) have both been rumoured to have spoken to the New Orleans Pelicans about taking Anthony Davis off their hands. This could be a game-changer in the Eastern Conference although I am not convinced either has the necessary trade pieces of the Anthony Davis willingness to move to really make the play and beat out what the Los Angeles Lakers are offering as a package for the player himself and for the Pelicans.
Not to worry, instead the Raptors and 76ers have to focus on fulfilling the big expectations the fan bases of each team have for them this season. While the 76ers window for success looks bigger than the Raptors, the trade for Jimmy Butler earlier in the season was expected to push them over the edge now and make them the team to beat in the East but they have yet to find the consistency they would like.
On the other hand the Raptors don't look to have the same depth to their team as they did a year ago, but they remain one of the better teams in the Conference. Last week they were beaten easily by the Milwaukee Bucks so this is a chance for Toronto to show they can compete with the top teams in the East and the NBA in general.
Philadelphia return home after a relatively productive road trip which has seen them win seven of their last ten overall. They were beaten in their last game at the Sacramento Kings, but they should be rested and take on a Raptors team who have dropped three of their last five games to lose their grip on the Number 1 Seed in the Eastern Conference.
Like with many of their games played, the 76ers are going to live and die by the three point shot in this one. In recent games Toronto have defended that shot pretty well, but they have not been as good doing that on the road as they have been at home in the 2018/19 season and I like the Philadelphia Offense to come out swinging in this one.
The Raptors should have their successes Offensively too even though Kyle Lowry might have to sit out until the All-Star Break to recover from a back ailment that has troubled him for much of the season. Even without Lowry, Toronto should be able to find their own rhythm from the three point line which will keep them competitive, while they have the size to win the rebounding that can be important in these closely contested games.
Being at home may be the key for Philadelphia with the last five between these teams all being won by the home team including the three played in the 2018/19 season. The home team has covered in all of the last five, while the three this season have all been won by double digits by the home team.
The Raptors are 2-8 against the spread in their last ten games against a team with a winning record at home, while they are 2-10 against the spread in their last twelve on the road overall. On the other side Philadelphia are 25-11 against the spread in their last thirty-six at home against a team with a winning record on the road and they are also 6-2 against the spread in the last eight when coming off a loss.
The favourite is 20-6 against the spread in the last twenty-six in this series and I think the 76ers can help continue the trends with the slightly superior shooting helping them through.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite Philadelphia 76ers to win and cover the spread.
The Pick :
Philadelphia 76ers 109-99 Toronto Raptors
