The 12-22 Raptors host the Sixers tonight, and despite their poor straight up record, the Raptors are actually over .500 ATS, while the 15-21 Sixers are 15-21 ATS. The Raptors have had 2 days off since their 12 point home loss to the Thunder and will be looking to get back into the winners circle, and will especially be hungry to notch up a win at home.

The Sixers have been a tricky side to cap this season, losing to scrub teams and knocking off some of the league’s elite. In their last 4 games the Sixers are 0-4 ATS and are averaging just 87 points. The one trend that seems to hold some form of consistency with the Sixers is there performance in the second game of back to backs. They are 2-8 ATS this season, and have won only 2 of those games outright, one of which coincidentally was at Toronto on the 10^th of November. A lot of time has passed since then, and Toronto have started playing much better ball since.

The Raptors have been much improved over the last few weeks, but the way that betting seems to work is that you’re only as good as your last performance, and Toronto have just lost at home, albeit to Western Conference contenders OKC, and also lost to the Kings at home 2 days before that to the tune of 9 points. Interestingly, the only 2 times the Raptors have failed to cover 2 games in a row at home is their last 2 games, as well as 2 games earlier in the season, with one of those being the aforementioned loss to Philly. Toronto are averaging 103 points in their last 5 games, but have only cracked the 100 mark once in their last 5 at home.

While I don’t think there’s a huge revenge angle here, I think the Raptors would certainly be looking to bring this season’s series with Philly back to 1 a piece, and would be disappointed in dropping 2 straight after such a hot streak. That combined with the fact that Philly’s back to back record is so terrible this season and they got pumped by the Nets last night, I have to go with the home side in this one.

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