Philadelphia 76ers: The Prop Bet You Need to Make for Game 5 Against the Toronto Raptors
The Philadelphia 76ers have outperformed expectations in every sense during their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors. Not only do they lead the series three games to one after four games, but they’re also 3-1 against the spread and covering their wins by an average of eight points per game.
The Sixers are set as hefty eight-point favorites against the Raptors on their home court in Game 5, but we’re digging deeper beyond the spread to find a winner on Monday night. Let’s check out the juicy player prop you need to bet before Philadelphia tries to close out their first-round series.
76ers-Raptors Game 5 odds, spread, and prediction
76ers vs. Raptors Game 5
Spread: 76ers -8
Total: 211
Moneyline: 76ers (-335), Raptors (+270)
The 76ers just lost their first game of the series in Game 4. Joel Embiid isn’t operating at an MVP level due to the torn ligament in his thumb. Doc Rivers and James Harden are no strangers to playoff collapses. And yet, Game 5 features the largest point spread of the first-round series to date.
After closing as 4.5- and 7.5-point favorites in Games 1 and 2 at home, the Sixers are set as eight-point favorites on Monday night. Some of that has to do with Raptors guard Fred VanVleet being ruled out for the game due to a hip flexor strain, but he’s only averaging 13.8 points per game while shooting 35.2% in the series.
Matisse Thybulle will be back in the lineup for Philly after missing both games in Toronto due to his vaccination status. He should give a much-needed boost to the team’s perimeter defense that struggled in Games 3 and 4.
Even without VanVleet on the court, the Raptors should be able to keep this one close with a hobbled Embiid fighting through pain on every shot attempt. I don’t know if they’ll steal a win to keep their season alive, but taking the eight points in a win-or-go-home spot seems like a pretty good idea on Monday night.
The Tobias Harris prop bet you need to make in Game 5
Tobias Harris has been somewhat of a punching bag all season. He hasn’t been a disaster for the 76ers, but considering he’s playing on a $180 million contract, 17.2 points per game on 48.2% shooting isn’t going to cut it.
But so far in the playoffs, Harris has stepped up his game. The veteran forward is shooting 58.7% from the field, 53.3% from three, and playing outstanding defense on and off the ball. Not only are Harris’ shooting numbers up in the playoffs, but his rebounding numbers are, too.
Through four games, Harris is grabbing 9.8 boards per game for the Sixers. He’s also averaging 17 rebound chances per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA this postseason. With Embiid hampered by his injured thumb in Game 4, Harris crashed the glass and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the team.
I’m expecting more of the same in Game 5. Harris is going to play around 40 minutes on Monday night, and he knows the 76ers need him on the boards now more than ever. His rebounds prop is set at a modest 8.5 despite surpassing that number in three straight games. And the best part? The over is priced at +108 on FanDuel.
Forget the spread and the total. Let’s load up on player props and root for some more aggressive rebounding from Harris.
All stats courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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