Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers Picks and Predictions October 25th 2024

Raptors vs 76ers October 25th 2024

At 7:00 ET, the 0-1 Raptors (-199) will host the 0-1 76ers (-4.5) in an Eastern Atlantic division matchup. The over/under line is currently set at 219.

This game will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and can be seen on NBCS.

76ers vs. Raptors Key Information

The 76ers opened their season with a 124-109 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday, dropping to 0-1. Philadelphia was a +4 underdog at home and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 233 points went over the pre-game line of 222.5 by 10.5 points.

After a close 1st quarter, the Bucks pulled away by outscoring the 76ers 36-24 in the 2nd quarter. Milwaukee extended their lead to 100-81 by the end of the 3rd, and while the 76ers won the 4th quarter 28-24, it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback.

In their 124-109 loss to the Bucks, the 76ers struggled offensively, shooting just 41.8% from the field and hitting only 8 threes at a 25.8% clip. Tyrese Maxey led the way with 25 points, despite shooting 32.3% overall and 22.2% from deep.

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Kelly Oubre added 21 points, contributing 8 in the 3rd quarter, while Kyle Lowry chipped in 13 points, hitting 3 threes at 60% efficiency. Maxey scored 9 points in the 2nd quarter, but managed just 3 in the 3rd.

The 76ers struggled defensively in their loss to the Bucks, giving up 124 points while allowing Milwaukee to shoot 53% from the field. Philadelphia’s defense was particularly shaky in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, where they allowed 36 and 42 points, respectively.

From beyond the arc, the Bucks hit 16 threes at a 43% clip. The 76ers also sent Milwaukee to the line 31 times, with the Bucks converting 22 free throws. Philadelphia finished with 32 defensive rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and recorded 4 steals and 2 blocks.

The Raptors opened their season with a 136-106 loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday, dropping to 0-1. Toronto, who were +6.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread at home, losing by 30 points. The game’s total points of 242.5 exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 224.5 by 17.5 points.

After a tight 1st quarter, where Cleveland led 33-32, the Cavaliers went on a 10-0 run, taking control of the game. Toronto struggled in the 2nd quarter, scoring just 17 points while allowing 36. The Raptors entered the 4th quarter trailing 105-79 and were unable to mount a comeback.

In their 124-109 loss to the Bucks, the 76ers struggled offensively, shooting just 41.8% from the field and hitting only 8 threes at a 25.8% clip. Tyrese Maxey led the way with 25 points, despite shooting 32.3% overall and 22.2% from beyond the arc.

Kelly Oubre added 21 points, and Kyle Lowry contributed 13, knocking down 3 threes at 60% efficiency. Maxey scored 9 of his points in the 2nd quarter, while Oubre added 8 in the 3rd.

The Raptors struggled defensively against the Cavaliers, giving up 136 points on 58% shooting. Toronto allowed 33 points in the 1st quarter and 36 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters before giving up 31 in the 4th.

From beyond the arc, the Cavaliers hit 14 threes at a 46% clip. Cleveland also went 20/26 from the free-throw line. The Raptors allowed 8 offensive rebounds while recording 8 steals and 6 blocks.

Our bet is on the 76ers for a win, and we project the score to be 116-108. Additionally, we expect them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to wager on the 76ers with the spread at -4.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 219, and our model predicts the 76ers and Raptors to score a combined 224 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Injury-Hit Sixers and Raptors Clash in Toronto; Nurse Returns as Philly Coach

Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors fans are bracing for a match filled with lineup uncertainties, as both teams grapple with injuries to key players for their second games of the NBA season. Friday night’s showdown will mark former Raptors coach Nick Nurse’s first return to Toronto as he leads the Sixers, who’ll once again be without their All-Star duo Joel Embiid and Paul George.

Philadelphia’s Road Challenge Without Embiid and George

The 76ers faced a tough start to their season, missing both Embiid and George due to knee injuries, and fell to the Milwaukee Bucks 124-109. Embiid will miss Friday’s game and Sunday’s matchup against Indiana, while George is expected to return against the Pacers. The absence of Philadelphia’s top two stars has placed significant pressure on Tyrese Maxey, who led the Sixers with 25 points against Milwaukee but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 10-for-31 from the field.

Maxey acknowledged his aggressive approach in trying to fill the void left by Embiid and George but believes he can improve moving forward. “I wouldn’t say I was pressing. I would say more of being ultra-aggressive,” Maxey explained. “I feel like I came out and played a little bit too fast.”

Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed with 21 points, and Andre Drummond provided much-needed interior support with a double-double (10 points and 13 rebounds). However, the Sixers shot a poor 41.8 percent from the field and an even more concerning 25.8 percent from 3-point range, exposing the team’s reliance on Embiid’s and George’s scoring.

Raptors’ Injury Woes and Rough Season Opener

Toronto had a rough start to their season, falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers 136-106. The Raptors were also short-handed, missing RJ Barrett, Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and Ja’Kobe Walter. Additionally, Immanuel Quickley, who scored 13 points in the first half, was sidelined with a pelvic contusion.

Quickley and Olynyk remained absent from Thursday’s practice, although Barrett was able to participate and may play against the Sixers. Scottie Barnes, expected to step up this season, struggled in the opener, finishing with nine points, six rebounds, and five assists.

In their loss, Toronto faced challenges with defensive consistency, particularly in the paint, as they were outscored 68-38 in this area. “We did not get rim protection,” noted head coach Darko Rajakovic, emphasizing a need for improved defensive execution and ball control. The Raptors shot similarly to Philadelphia at 41.8 percent from the field, with Chris Boucher and Gradey Dick leading the offense with 18 and 16 points, respectively.

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Key Matchups and Storylines

1. Tyrese Maxey vs. Raptors’ Defense
   Maxey’s performance under pressure will be critical, especially if the Sixers continue struggling with shooting. With the Raptors’ defense needing adjustments, Maxey’s scoring versatility may be a deciding factor in Philadelphia’s offense.
2. Interior Battle
   Both teams suffered from weak rim protection in their first games, and the absence of Embiid and George amplifies this issue for Philadelphia. Toronto, led by Pascal Siakam and Barnes, could exploit this and look to improve their presence in the paint.
3. Raptors’ Bench Production
   With key players potentially out, the Raptors will rely on reserves like Boucher and Dick to produce offensively. Toronto’s bench players showed promise in the opener, and their ability to replicate that output against the Sixers could determine the game’s pace.

Looking Ahead

The Sixers and Raptors both have work to do in refining their rotations and overcoming injuries. Nick Nurse’s return adds an intriguing subplot, as he looks to guide Philadelphia to a win over his former team. The Raptors, on the other hand, are aiming to establish consistency after a season of ups and downs.

Both teams will seek to make critical adjustments on defense and capitalize on mismatches, especially in the paint. With two injury-hit rosters and young players taking on larger roles, Friday’s clash could showcase the depth and resilience of each team in the early part of the season.