While no team in the NBA is hotter at the moment than the Detroit Pistons, the Raptors come into Wednesday’s tilt with the 76ers having won eight of their last nine contests. As a result, Toronto is currently four games above the .500 mark for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign — Scottie Barnes’ rookie season, if you’re looking for some context.
The Raptors’ one loss in this magical stretch of success? In Philadelphia back on November 8.
Can the 76ers pick up another victory against their Atlantic Division foe? Let’s preview tonight’s game with the help of some of some odds and lines on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Raptors vs. 76ers prediction, preview
While that 130-120 76ers’ win was less than two weeks ago, a lot has changed with these teams, and it only requires one quick look at the starting lineups to realize how. The most obvious difference is that Joel Embiid was actually available that night, putting up 29 points and six rebounds in less than 26 minutes of action. Embiid has not appeared in a game since due to a knee issue, and he is listed as doubtful to return for this evening’s contest. Philadelphia has managed to stay above water without the services of the former MVP, going 4-3 in games that Embiid hasn’t been in uniform, yet the big man was a vital part of that particular victory over Toronto. The 76ers were +15 with Embiid on the floor, as the former third-overall pick dominated an undersized Raptors’ interior that was without Jakob Poeltl. In fact, Philadelphia out-rebounded Toronto 63-47.
Well, Poeltl has been available for the Raptors’ last four games — all four ending in a win. It’s a span where Toronto owns the NBA’s sixth-highest rebounding rate (52.7%) and its eighth-best defensive rating (108.9). Need some proof of concept? Look no further than Monday’s narrow 110-108 triumph over the Hornets. The Raptors blocked two shots at the rim in the final seconds to maintain their slight two-point advantage, including a walk-off rejection as time expired by Scottie Barnes. I doubt the 76ers will have the same level of success scoring in the paint as they did when these two squads met earlier this month, especially with Embiid unlikely to play and Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) already ruled out.
One man that Philadelphia doesn’t have to worry about suiting up is Tyrese Maxey — though the Kentucky product would be forgiven for asking for a break. Nick Nurse has leaned hard on his All-Star point guard, with Maxey entering the day leading the league in minutes per game (40.4) and field goal attempts per contest (23.6). Still, the results have been undeniable. Maxey is averaging a career-high 32.5 points per night, and the 76ers’ offensive rating is 10.0 points per 100 possessions better with the shifty guard on the floor (120.7) than with him off it (110.7). Maxey has also loved facing-off with Toronto throughout his career, as his .637 true shooting percentage against the Raptors is his highest against any one team.
Raptors vs. 76ers pick, best bet
Best Bet: Raptors ML (-125)
It’s odd to feel confident in the Raptors as a road favorite, yet the team is 6-3 away from Toronto to start 2025-26. The Raptors’ +4.7 net rating for the season as a whole is also the 10th-highest mark in the league. A healthy and red-hot Toronto team should be able to best an undermanned 76ers’ roster on Wednesday.
