Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Opening Week

Philadelphia is 9-3 and lays double digits at home, yet Toronto has outscored its opponents by more per game than the 76ers have this season. The tension at Xfinity Mobile Arena is a tired, short-handed visitor against a favorite whose record is much louder than its margins.

The Matchup

Philadelphia is 9-3, scores 110.2 points per game and allows 109.2, and the 76ers lost 123-101 to Boston at home on Tuesday. Tyrese Maxey leads Philadelphia at 26.7 points per game, and LeBron James leads the team at 6.5 assists. Joel Embiid leads the 76ers at 9.3 rebounds per game and is day-to-day with a right foot issue. Keep an eye on whether Embiid plays before placing a bet. LeBron James is also day-to-day with a back issue. Keep an eye on whether James plays before placing a bet.

Toronto is 5-6, scores 114.5 and allows 111.9, and the Raptors lost 98-93 to Boston at home on Wednesday, so Thursday is the second night of a back-to-back with travel on top. The absences are the story of Toronto's season so far.

Scottie Barnes is out with soreness in his left groin, and Barnes leads Toronto at 23.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Kawhi Leonard is out with inflammation in his left knee. Jamal Shead leads the Raptors at 7.0 assists per game, and RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl carry more of the scoring and interior work with Barnes and Leonard sitting.

Both teams have played at least ten games, so these are this season's numbers with nothing carried over. DraftKings makes Philadelphia a 10.5-point home favorite at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with a total of 221.5 and the 76ers at -410 on the moneyline.

Key Factors

Philadelphia's record and its scoring margin tell two different stories. The 76ers keep winning close games, but a team outscoring opponents by about a point a night is being asked to win this one by eleven, and that ask grows if Embiid sits or plays limited minutes on a sore foot. Maxey can carry a quarter by himself, yet the offense around him thins quickly when James is also a game-time call.

Toronto's offense is the quiet counter. The Raptors score more per game than Philadelphia does and outscore their opponents by a wider margin, even while missing their two best players for long stretches. Shead keeps the ball moving, Barrett attacks closeouts, and Poeltl gives Toronto a steady finisher inside. A short-handed team that still moves the ball does not need its stars to stay within a big number.

The honest counter is the schedule and the absences together. Toronto played Wednesday night, flew to Philadelphia, and plays without Barnes and Leonard, while Philadelphia had Wednesday off at home. If the Raptors' legs go in the third quarter, the favorite can pull away late and make the cushion look small. The points are a bet on Toronto's offense holding up for three quarters, not four perfect ones.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.