Series Odds Shifting as Raptors Extend Series With 76ers
The Toronto Raptors came into their playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers as underdogs, but the sixth-seeded Raptors had some reason to be optimistic. On Dec. 28, following a home loss to Philadelphia, the Raptors were 14-17. They went 34-17 the rest of the way, so they were a No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Facing the 76ers in the first round, the Raptors quickly fell into a 3-0 series hole. At that point, the Raptors looked like they could be finished. The Raptors were the 144th team to lose the first three games of a playoff series and no team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series in the NBA. Only 12 of those teams even made it to a sixth game.
But as you can see, per BetMGM, the Raptors odds to win the series have gone from virtually impossible to longshot with just a couple of wins.
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How We Got Here
The series tipped off and the 76ers won the first game 131-111, and the Raptors lost Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes to an ankle injury. Philadelphia took Game Two 112-97, a second straight comfortable win for the Sixers.
Returning to Toronto for Game Three, the Raptors were much more competitive and held the lead for most of the game but were ultimately done in by a Joel Embiid three-pointer to win the game in overtime, 104-101.
But, coming out of Game Three, it was reported that Embiid has suffered torn ligaments in his thumb. Now, the biggest difference-maker in the series could be hindered by injury. The Raptors also got the good news that Barnes could return to action, and he was a factor in Toronto’s 110-102 victory to stay alive in Game Four.
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The news hasn’t all been good for the Raptors, though, as starting point guard Fred VanVleet is now sidelined with a hip injury. The Raptors still delivered a rousing performance taking Game Five in Philadelphia, 103-88.
Toronto will be at home Thursday facing a 76ers team that will be without guard Matisse Thybulle, who is not vaccinated but has also been ineffective in the games that he has played in the series.
Joel Embiid has been the leader for the 76ers, averaging 24.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game in the series, but he is 14-for-31 (.452 FG%) from the field in the past two games since his thumb injury was revealed. The Raptors are trying to attack Embiid more frequently, forcing him to expend energy on defense.
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As for the rest of the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points in the first game of the series but has cooled, going 9-for-26 (.346%) from the field in the past two games.
James Harden, who is supposed to be the primary star to complement Embiid, is averaging 18.4 points per game on 37.3% shooting for the series. For a player with a history of playoff struggles, this is a problem.
After some rough moments early in the series, Pascal Siakam has stepped up for the Raptors, producing 57 points, 18 rebounds, and 12 assists in two Toronto victories.
Without VanVleet, the Raptors have needed the supporting cast to step up and Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. have all contributed to getting the Raptors back into the series.
Can the Raptors make the unprecedented comeback? The next step on that path is to win Game Six at home Thursday to force Game Seven back in Philadelphia.
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