The NBA season is almost halfway through and we are in the middle of January. That’s important for gamblers to note. We are officially past the point of waiting for most teams in the league.
We know which teams are competitive and which are not. Two of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference standings, the Raptors and 76ers, are doing significantly better than expected based on previous seasons.
The two division rivals are playing the second game of a back-to-back, and every win is important as they both look to maintain their places in the top six in the conference.
76ers vs. Raptors odds, prediction
The 76ers are undoubtedly a fun team to watch, but all signs point to them being much more than that. Early in the season, watching Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, aka VJ Max, run around the floor for 40 minutes was so entertaining that wins almost didn’t matter. It was just great to see a young and fun Sixers team.
Then Embiid returned and the team had an adjustment period to figure out how to integrate the former MVP. By mid-December, things were still a bit uneven. However, things have looked much more stable since early January. The Sixers have won four of their five games during this span, outscoring teams by 11.2 points per 100 possessions.
Embiid is still sitting down when he needs to rest his tired knees, but appears to be regaining the confidence that made him a perennial All-NBA player.
The Raptors have also battled through injuries this season. RJ Barrett missed a month with a knee injury and was unable to play Sunday. Its connectivity has been vital to the fluidity of the team’s attack. Jacob Poeltl has been in and out of the lineup with a back injury, making the Raptors a rebounding team in the middle.
Defensively, the Raptors remain at the top of the league despite the lack of a true big man. But that defense will have its hands full trying to stop Maxey, who is relentless when he drives to the basket and has been one of the best 3-point shooters above the break in the league this season.
Bet on the NBA?
Finally, this has been a favorable spot for the 76ers all season. They have more road wins than home wins this season and have the best coverage against the spread in road games this season. On the second night of back-to-backs, the Sixers are 6-0 ATS.
I like the 76ers to report on Monday night and continue their rise in the standings.
The pick: 76ers to cover the spread (-3.5, BetRivers)
Why trust New York Post betting
Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017. He is a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and martial arts. He spends his winter weeknights looking for NBA player prop benefits with more money.
#76ers #Raptors #prediction #NBA #odds #picks #bet #Monday