Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors (Game 5): Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors

Where: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada

When: Tuesday, May 7th at 8:00 PM EST

How (TV): ESPN

Series Standing: 2-2 Tie

Philadelphia 76ers (Away)

Head Coach: Brett Brown {All-Time 178-314 | PHI}

Season Record: 51-31, 3rd in the East

Projected Starting Five: (G) Ben Simmons – (G) JJ Redick – (F) Tobias Harris – (F) Jimmy Butler – (C) Joel Embiid

Top Performers:

• (C) Joel Embiid – 24.3 MPG | 24.8 PPG | 13.5 RPG | .507 FG%
• (F) Tobias Harris – 35.2 MPG | 17.6 PPG | 8.8 RPG | .500 3P%
• (G) Ben Simmons – 33.4 MPG | 17.2 PPG | 6.8 RPG | 7.6 APG

The Philadelphia 76ers were still efficient from the field, but they were unable to take care of the Toronto Raptors in the clutch. While they dominated their last game, the Sixers struggled against an awakened Toronto Raptors.

With a concerted effort from the Toronto Raptors the Sixers were unable to keep up. While Jimmy Butler continued his fantastic play, young stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid were nowhere to be found.

The Sixers are in a hole as they take on the Toronto Raptors for Game 5. While the series is tied, the rhythm seems to be in the favour of the Raptors. The Sixers need their young stars to show up if they want to come back in this series.

Toronto Raptors (Home)

Head Coach: Nick Nurse {All-Time 58-24 | TOR}

Season Record: 58-24

Projected Starting Five: (G) Kyle Lowry – (G) Danny Green – (F) Kawhi Leonard – (F) Pascal Siakam – (C) Marc Gasol

Top Performers:

• (F) Kawhi Leonard – 26.7 PPG | 7.3 RPG | 1.8 SPG
• (F) Pascal Siakam – 17.0 PPG | 6.9 RPG | .368 3P%
• (G) Kyle Lowry – 14.2 PPG | 8.7 APG | 1.4 SPG

The Toronto Raptors seemed to be primed for another playoff failure after their embarrassment against the Philadelphia 76ers. However, after refocusing for Game 4, the Raptors looked as dangerous as ever.

While Kawhi Leonard continues to be the story that the headlines focus on, there is more to the Raptors’ recent success. They are locked in offensively, likely due to an incredibly short rotation.

Toronto still needs more from their bench. Perhaps a trip back home will energize the Raptors reserves to victory.

What’s At Stake?

The Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers are two classic Atlantic Division rivals. The lop-sided nature of their recent histories are shown in their all-time record – the Raptors lead the Sixers 54-38.

The Raptors and the Sixers have met once before in the NBA Playoffs. Back in 2001 the Sixers pulled of a nail-biting series win courtesy of a Vince Carter misfire to lead the all-time playoff series 1-0 over the Raptors.

The Sixers have lost their rhythm and the health of Joel Embiid is in question. They’ll look to swing the series back in their favour during Game 5 in Toronto.

After an impressive Game 4 performance with their backs against the wall, the Toronto Raptors look to take advantage of home court being back in their favour.

The Home Rims Were Not Friendly

The Philadelphia 76ers are certainly not what you would consider an in-between team. With the likes of Embiid and Simmons, they can dominate in the paint. Also with Redick and Harris on the wings, they can be deadly from the arc.

Unfortunately for Philly, they struggled in the paint against the Raptors in Game 4. Of 27 shot attempts at the rim, the Sixers converted on only 13. In comparison, the Raptors made 73% of their shots at the rim against Philly.

Blame Embiid’s sickness if you want, but they were passive in the paint. Simmons seemed afraid to challenge Marc Gasol in the paint and the double pairing of Gasol and Ibaka made them more formidable. If they can’t spread the Raptors across the court, the Sixers won’t have many easy baskets.

Nick Nurse Showed His Worth

While it wasn’t a miracle that the Toronto Raptors won Game 4 over the Philadelphia 76ers, more goes into the victory than just a brilliant night by Kawhi Leonard. Head Coach Nick Nurse was out-coached by Brett Brown in Games 2 and 3, but rose to the challenge when his side needed him most.

It was Nurse’s work with the rotations that was huge for the Toronto Raptors. While it seems a simple choice, there wasn’t a minute in the game where there wasn’t at least one starter on the court.

It resulted in a positive net rating from the starters, save for an injured Pascal Siakam. He also implemented a double-centre lineup that frustrated the Sixers who previously dominated them on the glass. Changes are sure to occur, but Nurse is now in the drivers seat.

The Sixers Defence Looks Tired

After three games the Sixers have done their best to slow down a potent offensive team in the Toronto Raptors. While Toronto’s role players have struggled, the Sixers back line has been impressive in their wins.

Unfortunately, in Game 3 the Sixers seemed to get sloppy defending the Atlantic Division Champions. The Raptors took 26 free throws in Game 4, well and above any free throw attempt rate to this point in the series. Leonard alone took twelve.

Simmons has done his best but to no notable affect against Kawhi Leonard. Meanwhile Marc Gasol continues to be a load bearing on Embiid on offence and defence. If the Sixers can’t stay in front of the Raptors, they may as well call it a series.

Help Has Arrived For Leonard

After what was an abysmal Game 3 from any Toronto Raptor that wasn’t named Kawhi Leonard or Pascal Siakam, Game 4 showed a renewed energy from the Raptors supporting cast.

Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, and Marc Gasol were all a net positive in +/- on the game, while Siakam had an off night fighting through a calf injury. Serge Ibaka even came off the bench to contribute for the first time in the series.

With a shortened lineup the Toronto Raptors were more efficient. While they’ve been unable to rely on regular season talisman Fred Vanvleet, a more aggressive Kyle Lowry and cast seems to have picked up the slack.

Philadelphia 76ers Roster Notes

The Philadelphia 76ers have no roster injuries of note.

Toronto Raptors Roster Notes

F OG Anunoby – 13 Apr 2019 – Out (Appendix) – Anunoby will not return until the Eastern Conference Finals at the earliest, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

F Chris Boucher – 22 Apr 2019 – Day To Day (Back) – Boucher was ruled OUT for Tuesday’s (April 22) Game Five.

G Jeremy Lin – 2 May 2019 – Day To Day (Back) – Lin did not play in Thursday’s (May 2) game 3.

X-Factors: Tobias Harris (PHI) vs Fred Vanvleet (TOR)

One is coming off of an awful shooting night and the other is yet to have a decent shooting game in this series. Tobias Harris and Fred Vanvleet are integral to their teams success, regardless of how many minutes they play.

Tobias Harris (PHI)

Power Forward | 6-9, 235lb (206cm, 106kg) | Tennessee | Exp. 7 Years

20.0 PPG | 2.8 APG | 7.9 RPG | 0.6 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 1.8 TOV | .487 FG% | .397 3P%

Tobias Harris was a bit of a black hole for the Sixers in Game 4 agains the Raptors. While he usually has some form of productivity, his stats from his last game are empty.

In 41 minutes Harris logged 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals on 7-23 from the field and a shocking 2-13 from three.

Harris is more talented than his shooting percentages suggest. He didn’t hunt out mismatches or crash the offensive glass. Harris needs to focus and contribute in efficient fashion if the Sixers hope to take Game 5.

Fred Vanvleet

Point Guard | 6-0, 195lb (183cm, 88kg) | Wichita State | Exp. 2 Years

11.0 PPG | 4.8 APG | 2.6 RPG | 0.9 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 1.3 TOV | .410 FG% | .378 3P%

The miniature point guard, by NBA standards, has been a steady and reliable force for the Toronto Raptors this season. Against the Sixers, Vanvleet is nowhere to be found.

In four games against the Sixers in these playoffs, Vanvleet has totalled four points, four assists, and nine rebounds. While the rebounds are a show of decent effort, he’s not being effective where the Raptors need him.

Vanvleet hasn’t hit a three-point field goal since April 23rd, which was a game against the Magic. He is struggling with the length of the Sixers, but he can’t seem to initiate the offence either. If this keeps up, don’t expect Nurse to give him a long run.

Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors Predictions and Odds

The Toronto Raptors have the rhythm going forward but the young stars of the Sixers could show up to spoil the party. A Raptors win is expected, but if Philly can find their old form it will be a long night in Canada.

If you are in New Jersey you can bet on the Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors NBA game right here. Good luck!

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