The Toronto Raptors can advance to the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in franchise history with a win on Thursday, when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 6 of their second-round playoff series as two-point road favourites on the NBA odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Toronto set a new franchise record with their 125-89 rout of the Sixers in Game 5 that gives the club a 3-2 series lead going into Thursday night’s Raptors vs. 76ers betting matchup at Wells Fargo Center.
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Tuesday’s win as a six-point home favourite marked the most lopsided playoff victory in Raptors history, and has shifted the momentum in the series clearly in their favour as they return to Philadelphia for Thursday’s contest. That is reflected on the NBA playoff series prices, where the Raptors have vaulted to heavy -800 favourites to eventually knock off the 76ers, well ahead of the already strong -270 odds the club carried into Game 5.
Contributions from up and down the lineup proved to be the difference in the Raptors’ strongest outing of the post-season. In addition to another solid performance from Kawhi Leonard, who racked up 21 points and 13 rebounds, Pascal Siakam posted a game-high 25 points, while Kyle Lowry returned to form with 19 points.
The bench also got into the act, particularly late in the game, contributing a combined 32 points after topping 12 points just once over the first four games of the series.
The Raptors’ offensive outburst was welcomed by bettors taking the OVER in totals betting, which paid out on Tuesday for just the second time in the Raptors’ past 11 games, according to the OddsShark NBA Database. However, Toronto’s historic win has done little to boost the club on the NBA championship odds, where they continue to lag at +750.
While the Raptors soar, the 76ers return home searching for answers following their worst defeat of the season and second worst playoff loss in franchise history.
The Sixers had no answer against Toronto in Game 5 after letting an early lead slip away. With big man Joel Embiid battling a virus that has clearly impacted his play, Philadelphia has now scored more than 96 points just once in the series, and has also struggled of late on home court, going 4-3 straight up in their past seven.
The 76ers have also been punished at the sportsbooks for their weak performance in Game 5, tumbling to +500 underdogs on the NBA playoff series prices and to a +4000 wager on the NBA championship odds.
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