Raptors Open as Heavy Favorites in Second-Round Series Against Sixers

• The Toronto Raptors will face the Philadelphia 76ers in the second-round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs 
• The Raptors have reached the Eastern Conference Finals just once
• Toronto was swept in the second-round by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in each of the past two years

The Toronto Raptors took a major step towards shaking their reputation as chokers in the NBA playoffs with a decisive first-round series win over the Orlando Magic, and now prepare to face the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, perched as strong -245 favorites.

Raptors vs 76ers NBA Playoff Series Odds

*Odds taken 04/25/19

Raptors Haunted by Recent Playoff Failures

The Raptors have consistently finished the NBA regular season among the league’s elite in recent years, averaging 56 wins over the past four seasons and claiming the Atlantic Division crown in five of the past six years. However, the club has been haunted by playoff failure during that stretch, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals just once and getting swept in the second round by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in each of the past two years.

The Raptors have consistently finished the NBA regular season among the league’s elite in recent years, averaging 56 wins over the past four seasons.

Canadian basketball fans held their breath after the Raptors opened this year’s NBA Playoffs in their traditional fashion, with a Game 1 loss, falling 104-101 to the Magic as 9.5-point chalk and losing home-court advantage.

In Game 1 loss to Magic, Raptors' Kyle Lowry (0 points, 0-7 shooting) was held scoreless in the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
– This was the first time in Lowry's 50 playoff games w/ Toronto that he didn't make a basket or even score a point. pic.twitter.com/Vxu9ZfMJyB

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 14, 2019

However, unlike past years, the Raptors quickly rebounded, marching to four straight playoff victories for the first time in franchise history to dispatch the Magic in five games. And with their nemesis King James out of the playoff picture for the first time in a decade and a half, the club now see a clear path to finally reward patient sports bettors as a +1000 bet to win their first-ever NBA championship.

Youthful Sixers Raising Expectations

But first they will have to get past a Philadelphia 76ers squad that enters the second round as +205 underdogs on the series prices after defeating the Brooklyn Nets in their first-round series win in five games.

The Sixers topped the 50-win mark for a second year in a row this season, raising expectations in Philadelphia following a dismal five-year run during which the club finished out of the playoff picture while averaging fewer than 22 victories per season.

Sporting a youthful lineup led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, and complemented by veterans Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick, the 76ers were among the highest scoring teams in the NBA this season, averaging 115.2 points per game. However, with limited playoff expectation, and following a shaky stretch run, the jury is still out on whether Philadelphia is ready to join the list of contenders for the NBA title, and that is reflected on the NBA futures, where the Sixers sit as a lengthy +2200 bet to claim their first NBA title since 1983.

Dwyane Wade's final home game in a Miami Heat uniform comes to an end, as the Heat beat the Philadelphia 76ers 122-99.

Dwyane Wade: 30 points, 2 rebounds 3 assists
Bam Adebayo: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Justise Winslow: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists pic.twitter.com/a3R9IybhlN

— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) April 10, 2019

The 76ers stumbled down the stretch, going 5-6 SU in their final 11 outings, including a dismal 2-5 SU record in their final seven road contests and a one-sided 122-99 loss in Miami on April 9th. And while they dominated the Nets with four straight SU and ATS win after dropping Game 1, they will likely face much stiffer competition against a red-hot Raptors squad that enters the second round on an 11-2 SU run, including eight victories by double-digit margins.

Raptors Own Dominant Track Record Against 76ers

In addition to finishing the regular season tied for second overall in the NBA with a 32-9 SU record on home hardwood, the Raptors own a lengthy track record of success against Philadelphia. Toronto took three of four from the 76ers during the regular season including a pair of lopsided victories on home court, improving the club’s head-to-head record against Philadelphia to 21-3 SU in 24 meetings since January 2013.

37pts for Kawhi as the Raptors easily take down the Magic 111-82 to tie the series 1-1 in game 2!#NBAPlayoffs #WeTheNorth
pic.twitter.com/L722G6xxwi

— Redshirt Heisman (@TasteOfSport) April 17, 2019

The Raptors’ best players are also performing that way. Kawhi Leonard emerged as a force in the opening round, scoring 34 or more points on two occasions and has averaged 27.8 points per game so far, while Pascal Siakam has contributed 22.6 points per game while attending to defensive responsibilities with a team-high 8.4 rebounds per game.

TOR-PHI meet in a clash of the teams with the top two records in the East. During a recent conversation with @TheAthleticNBA, Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry gave his thoughts on the 76ers trade for Jimmy Butler https://t.co/XEEiriaykG pic.twitter.com/94EwoWKGFa

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) December 5, 2018

And while Kyle Lowry has been the target of criticism at times for his play in the first-round, it may be unwise to underestimate the Philadelphia native as he enters his first-ever playoff series against the Sixers, whom he has averaged 16.6 points against in 32 career meetings, and scored 20 points against on three occasions this season.

Pick: Toronto Raptors (-245)