Raptors’ defense to improve: Philadelphia started the series very confidently against Toronto, and the odds of the 76ers winning began to fall even before the second game. Will the home team’s lead be able to be doubled in the first round of the NBA playoffs? OKBET is the easiest way to find updated NBA betting lines for the upcoming games.
Philadelphia
The 76ers have recorded six wins in the last seven games. Philadelphia entered the playoffs from 4th place, but the gap with the top was negligible. The team now has everything they need to show off their vibrant and aggressive basketball. Joel Embiid has become the NBA’s best midrange scorer. Tyrese Maxey is very fast, shooting over 40% across the arc and moving the ball well with Harden. Tobias Harris is still effective, and Harden helps more than a point guard at the right time. There are only questions about the bench, but overall Milton, Nian and Thybul don’t spend a lot of time together and can be incorporated into a game mechanic with four great attack options at once. Fortunately, everything that suits you best is healthy. Only Charles Bassey and Jaden Springer, who have already retired from rotation, are bystanders.
Doc Rivers’ team cruised to a 131-111 victory over Toronto in Game 1. For Philadelphia, nearly everything went in from beyond the arc, and Harden, Maxey, and Harris did their best. Tyrese was especially impressive, scoring 38 points while making 5 three-pointers and annihilating the opposition with his steals. Embiid made only 5 of his 15 field-goal attempts, which was not the best matchup for the MVP candidate. Another important factor was that the 76ers only had three turnovers in 48 minutes and won the backboard battle. OKBET has made its predictions for the series and the series winner.
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Toronto.
The Raptors were strong in the second half of the season, finishing the regular season in 5th place in the east. Nevertheless, the club is struggling and it is still very difficult to reach the second round. In the end, Toronto tried to add some sizes. They lacked a classic center. Khem Birch, Precious Achiuwa, and Chris Boucher are all in the center-back position. Pascal Siakam has improved greatly in the current league, and right now he`s hardly the Raptors’ main scorer. Possible losses in the lineup are troubling. Scottie Barnes was injured last game, Thaddeus Young is also on injured reserve and Gary Trent Jr. may not make the floor due to illness. The participation of all three in Game 2 is highly questionable.
In Game 1, Nick Nurse’s men were surprisingly sluggish at the arc, allowing their opponents to get open looks. Overall, the offense was effective, and it was a failure in their half that hampered their efforts. There was also insufficient bench support, and in the end, only four Toronto players scored more than 10 points. With 24 points, Siakam was once again the Raptors’ leading scorer.
Expert Betting Tips
The absence of three Toronto basketball players could be purely tactical, and Trent could very well return to the court. The Raptors must improve their defense and learn from Game 1. Philadelphia’s defense hasn’t been particularly strong, so we can expect some productive basketball once again. The 76ers may not have a shot from beyond the arc, but Embiid has the potential to add and score at least 30 points. I propose that we place bets on the following outcomes:
- Total Over 217.5 points for 1.90;
- Toronto Handicap (+7.5) for 1.90;
- Joel Embiid: Total Over 32.5 points for 1.87.
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