Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 12/22/18 Predictions & Odds

Raptors vs. 76ers Prediction

The Philadelphia 76ers are laying points at home Saturday night to the visiting Toronto Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET. Are the Raptors a live dog or are the Sixers a better play as the home favorite?

Game Snapshot

525 Toronto Raptors at 526 Philadelphia 76ers

7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 22, 2018

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line.

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the 76ers are 5.5-point favorites to beat the Raptors. The total, meanwhile, sits at 220 points and as of this writing, 58% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Raptors to cover the point spread.

Toronto Raptors Fantasy Spin

Kawhi Leonard will rest on Saturday vs. the 76ers. It's not really a surprise after Kawhi played 32 minutes against the Cavs on Friday night with a season-high tying 37 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and two triples. Coach Nick Nurse originally said there was a chance that Kawhi would be cleared for the back-to-back, but the Raptors will be cautious since they are an NBA-best 25-9. With Kyle Lowry (thigh) likely out too, there's a lot of streaming appeal from guys like OG Anunoby, Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet.

Philadelphia 76ers Fantasy Spin

Ben Simmons triple-doubled again on Wednesday with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. The 22-year-old star has four triple-doubles this season and he's come very close in at least another dozen games. Jimmy Butler's arrival was a threat to Simmons as a ball-dominant player, but he's been a top-20 fantasy value since that time if you toss out his horrible FT shooting. Even that didn't limit him vs. New York on Wednesday, as he made 5-of-10 FGs and 3-of-4 FTs with one steal and one block.

NBA Betting Trends

Toronto

The under is 8-3 in the Raptors’ last 11 games overall and is 5-1 in their last six games versus the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia

The under is 5-2 in the Sixers’ last seven home games and 5-0 in their last five games playing on two days of rest.

Prediction

The home team is a perfect 4-0 against the spread in the last four meetings between these two teams and the favorite has covered in 20 of the last 27 meetings. The Sixers are also 5-2 against the number in their last seven home games, are 20-8 in their last 28 games playing on two days of rest, and have cashed in 20 of their last 26 home games versus an opponent with a road winning percentage greater than .600. With Leonard out for the Raptors, I’m backing the Sixers.

Saturday NBA Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers -5.5