NBA Playoffs 2022 on Tuesday, 04/26/2022
Backs against the wall are sometimes the best way to play, and that’s how the Toronto Raptors managed to force the Philadelphia 76ers to a Game 5 this weekend, which will be tonight at the Wells Fargo Center!
While I think highly of the talented Canadians, the end seems to be in sight already! Because in my 76ers Raptors tip, I’ll address some circumstances and returnees that will finally seal the Sixers’ advancement.
In the end, the Canadians didn’t even need my +7.5 point handicap to win Game 4 – and if I’d known what 76ers coach Doc Rivers didn’t tell us before the game, I would have refrained from a handicap bet all the more.
Because Joel Embiid had suffered a ligament injury shortly before tip-off, which nevertheless kept him on the floor for the entire game. However, his amount was by far the worst in this series so far with only 21 points and eight rebounds.
Those who have read my 76ers Raptors tip for Game 1, however, know that the Cameroonian is essential to keep the quite capable Toronto squad in check. An Embiid at only 50% has proven insufficient against the Canadians several times in the past.
The Raptors, of course, had two advantages on their side: the crowd and the additional motivation of a team that has to fight for survival! This was clearly evident from the start!
The home side forced Philadelphia into 16 turnovers and scored 21 fast-break points as a result. In addition, they were also ahead in rebounding (46:41) and also scored more points from the paint (42:38).
However, all this would not have been possible if Embiid had been at 100% on the opposite side. But it is also true that Pascal Siakam and Thaddeus Young had by far their best performances in this series for the Canadians.
Thaddeus Young in particular proved to be the surprise of the evening. The 33-year-old has only played a subordinate role in this series so far – at least in the first three games, where he only played a total of 20 minutes and scored 4 points.
But this changed fundamentally in Game 4! In this game alone he was on the floor for 30 minutes and with his 13 points and 5 rebounds he might have been the deciding factor.
However, I strongly believe that the Sixers will close the deal in the next match. Especially since Fred VanVleet, a player who plays a key role in the Raptors’ game structure, had to leave the court due to injury during the game.
Now it’s not 100% certain whether VanVleet will actually be out, but what I’ve heard and read so far doesn’t look good. On the other hand, Joel Embiid gets 48 hours to recover from his minor injury.
Coupled with the strong home crowd Philadelphia can count on again in Game 5, they should be able to finish this series with another win. But the return of Matisse Thybulle will be crucial.
Thybulle, in fact, was outstanding in the first two games still played in the US, but he was not allowed to enter Canada due to his vaccination status. With him back in the starting five, however, the 76ers will now have a much easier time than they did during the last two games.
Odds-wise, the Sixers are more heavily favoured in this game than they have ever been during this series!
For example, odds of “only” 1.30 on average are currently being offered for a win for the Blue and Whites, while another win for the Canadians comes with a fourfold increase in the original betting amount!
Summary: The Raptors had certain advantages on their side in last weekend’s win that they won’t be able to draw on tonight – even Fred VanVleet may be out.
The Sixers, on the other hand, were extremely dominant, especially in their two home games – also because Matisse Thybulle, an important player who has been missing for them in Canada lately, was on the floor.
Joel Embiid at 100% will also be an important factor in keeping the visitors at bay again. But with their own crowd behind them and 48 hours of recovery time, I remain confident that they should indeed succeed!
My 76ers Raptors tip: Sixers with at least five points in front!
