Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/22/2018

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Wells Fargo Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors travel to Wells Fargo Center to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, December 22, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Philadelphia as 1 point favorites.

The Raptors have a record of 24-9. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 7.4 as they average 114.4 points per game while giving up 107.0 per contest. The 76ers have an overall record of 21-12 this season. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They average 114.2 points per game and surrender 112.1, good for a point differential of 2.2.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 15-18-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 18-15-0 against the over/under

Important Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 15-18-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 19-13-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/20/18 PG Kyle Lowry Thigh is downgraded to out Friday vs Cleveland & is out Saturday vs Philadelphia
12/19/18 F Serge Ibaka Knee is questionable Friday vs Cleveland
12/14/18 C Jonas Valanciunas Thumb is out 4-6 weeks
11/06/18 SF Norman Powell Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

11/20/18 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kawhi Leonard averages 26.4 points per game in 35.1 minutes per contest. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 8.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%. Kyle Lowry comes into this contest averaging 14.2 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 10.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Player Spotlight

Ben Simmons averages 15.8 points per game and he sees the court an average of 33.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.1 rebounds per contest and 7.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 58% and his free throw percentage is 60%. Joel Embiid averages 26.3 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 13.2 rebounds per game and has 3.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors allow 107.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.3 rebounds a game which ranks 14th, and they give up 24.1 assists per contest which puts them in 17th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the league. Toronto averages 114.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.4 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 45.6 rebounds per game and 24.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 12th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 13.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The 76ers surrender 112.1 points per contest, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 22.3 assists allowed per contest, and 8th with 43.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The 76ers are 4th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.2 per game. Philadelphia is 7th in the league with 114.2 points per game this year. They are 10th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 2.2. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 6th in the league in rebounding with 47.3 boards per game and 4th in assists per contest with 26.7. The 76ers are 7th in turnovers per game with 15.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 106.8, and their offensive rating of 114.2 is ranked 7th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA. Toronto is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Philadelphia is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league. The 76ers are 11th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.6, and their defensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 101.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 8th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Philadelphia -1

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