Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/21/2017

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Wells Fargo Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors head to Wells Fargo Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, December 21, 2017. The opening line for this game has Toronto as 5 point favorites.

The Raptors head into this matchup with a mark of 20-8. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 8.4 as they are averaging 110.9 points per contest while giving up 102.5 per game. The 76ers have an overall record of 14-16. They currently are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 108.6 points per game and surrendering 109.3, good for a point differential of -0.7.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 16-12-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 13-15-0 against the over/under

Important Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 16-14-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 16-14-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/17/17 F Serge Ibaka Knee is "?" Wednesday vs Charlotte

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

12/19/17 G J.J. Redick Hamstring left last game, is "?" Thursday vs Toronto
10/25/17 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

DeMar DeRozan comes into this game averaging 23.9 points per contest while playing 34.3 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is 80%. Kyle Lowry averages 16 points per contest in 33 minutes per game this year. He averages 7.2 assists per game and 6.3 rebounds per contest for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 43% for the season while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid has scored 24.1 points per contest while playing 31.4 minutes per game this season for the 76ers. He hauls in 11 rebounds per contest and has 3.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Ben Simmons averages 17.2 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 9.1 rebounds per game and 7.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 55%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 110.9 points per contest this year, which is 4th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 8.46 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 5th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They average 42 boards per contest and 23 assists per game, which ranks them 21st and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 26th with 13.8 per game. The Raptors allow 102.5 points per contest which is 9th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 11th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd, and they allow 21.9 assists per game which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia is 6th in the NBA with 108.6 points per contest this season. They are 12th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -0.63. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 21st in the league. They are 1st in the NBA in rebounding with 48.9 boards per contest and 3rd in assists per game with 26.4. The 76ers are 1st in turnovers per contest with 18. The 76ers give up 109.3 points per game, which ranks them 25th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 3rd and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 22 dimes allowed per game and 15th with 42.9 boards surrendered per contest. The 76ers are 11th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.4, and their defensive rating of 104.8 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 5th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league. Toronto is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 26th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Philadelphia is 1st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 27th in the NBA. The 76ers are 17th in the league in defensive rating with 106.8, and their offensive rating of 106.2 is ranked 17th. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 16th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Toronto -5

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