Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors NBA Picks & Predictions 12/23/2017

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Air Canada Centre

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Air Canada Centre to play the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, December 23, 2017.

The 76ers head into this matchup with a mark of 14-17. They are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.8 as they are averaging 108.6 points per contest while giving up 109.4 per game. The Raptors have an overall record of 22-8. They currently are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 111.6 points per game and surrendering 103.0, good for a point differential of 8.6.

Valuable Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 16-15-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 17-14-0 against the over/under

Important Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 18-12-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 15-15-0 against the over/under

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

12/22/17 G J.J. Redick Hamstring is doubtful Saturday vs Toronto
12/22/17 C Joel Embiid Back is "?" Saturday vs Toronto
10/25/17 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/22/17 G CJ Miles Dental is "?" Saturday vs Philadelphia

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid comes into this contest averaging 24.1 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per night so far this season for the 76ers. He pulls down 11 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%. Ben Simmons averages 17.3 points per game in 36.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.8 assists per contest and 9 rebounds per game for Philadelphia. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 54%.

Player Spotlight

DeMar DeRozan averages 24.7 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest this year for the Raptors. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and has 5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Kyle Lowry averages 16.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.3 rebounds per contest and 7.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia averages 108.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.77 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 48.6 rebounds per game and 26.4 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 18.2 per game. The 76ers allow 109.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.9 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 21.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 3rd in the league with 111.6 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 8.67. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 42.1 boards per game, and 9th in assists per contest with 23.2. The Raptors are 23rd in turnovers per game with 14.1. The Raptors surrender 103 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 22 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 40.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The 76ers are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.3, and their defensive rating of 107 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 12th. As a team they are 15th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. Philadelphia is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 23rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 25th in the NBA. The Raptors are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 105.1, and their offensive rating of 113.9 is ranked 25th. They are 10th in the NBA in pace with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 5th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's 76ers/Raptors NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Toronto

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