Raptors Still Listed as -160 Favorites to Win Series vs Sixers After Losing Home Court Advantage
- Odds still favor the Toronto Raptors to win their NBA playoff series from the Philadelphia 76ers
- The Sixers won Game 2 94-89 to draw even in the set at 1-1 and gain home-court advantage
- Toronto has advanced to the Eastern Conference final once in franchise history
One thing that’s been a certainty for the Toronto Raptors over the course of their NBA Playoffs history is that they are not a team that makes it easy on themselves.
For the second straight series, the Raptors hit the road deadlocked 1-1 in their series. The Philadelphia 76ers downed Toronto 94-89 Monday in Game 2 to draw even in their second-round set.
The Orlando Magic also gained an opening split at Toronto in the first round, but the Raptors closed out the Magic with three straight wins.
Sportsbooks believe the Raptors will survive this latest bump in the road as well. Despite the loss and the need now to win a game in Philly, the books still peg the Raptors as the -160 chalk to win this series.
Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers Playoff Series Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | -160 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +140 |
*Odds taken on 04/30/19
The Raptors opened as -290 favorites. The Sixers were +245 underdogs.
The Butler Did It
Just one of Philadelphia’s Fantastic Four lived up to that billing in Game 2. Jimmy Butler went off for a double double, scoring 30 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.
Tonight the Sixers evened the series with the Raptors led by Jimmy Butler with 30 points. Their defense was outstanding and the Sixers bench outplayed Raptors bench.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 30, 2019
Tobias Harris also had 11 boards but just nine points. Ben Simmons scored six points. Joel Embiid, slowed by a stomach bug, was limited to 12 points. But Philly got a combined 34 points from JJ Redick, James Ennis III and Greg Monroe.
Butler responds: "My name isn't James. It's literally Jimmy." https://t.co/OYdvGetzID
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) April 30, 2019
It was Butler’s second 30-point game of the postseason. He had two in 65 regular-season games.
Raptors’ Defense Was There
If you’re a Toronto fan, it’s hard to get too upset about the Game 2 outcome. The open shots were there for them, they just didn’t fall. The Raptors shot 30-for-76 from the field (39.5%) and a dismal 10-of-27 from three-point range (28.6%).
Kawhi Leonard scored 35 points and got support from Pascal Siakam (21 points) and Kyle Lowry (20 points). Toronto’s starting five was actually a plus-25. But the bench was a combined minus-51 and scored five points.
The Raptors have not allowed an opponent to score 100 points in their last six playoff games.
The good news from a Toronto point of view was that the Raptors were once again solid on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve not allowed an opponent to get to 100 points in their last six playoff games.
In Game 1 of TOR vs. PHI, there were 12 Joel Embiid post ups.
The Raptors held the 76ers to just 4 points (0.33 PPP).
Check out this compilation of Gasol, Ibaka, and Siakam's disciplined post defense.
Full video on tactical notes out tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/tYKKVd0Tt5
— Coop (@CoopNBA) April 28, 2019
Maintain that sort of defensive presence and the wins will keep coming.
Pressure Now on Sixers
Yes, they’ve stolen the home-court advantage. Now Philly must hold it.
Only Golden State and Milwaukee (27 each) won more road games this season than Toronto (26). The Raptors are 2-0 away from home in postseason play.
Raptors franchise record for points in a playoff game:
Vince Carter – 50
Kawhi Leonard – 45Both against the 76ers pic.twitter.com/61lEbuB3U7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2019
Leonard, who is averaging 40 points a game in this series, has never lost in Philadelphia. He’s 6-0 there.
Over the long haul, the Sixers can’t match Toronto’s defensive discipline. If you were already backing the Raptors, stay in your lane. They will win this set.
Pick: Toronto Raptors (-160)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
