Philadelphia at Toronto, Raps -5, total 185

I still have not gotten over Monday night’s almost win over the Celtics. I am still pissed at the images of KG taunting Jose Calerdon. I am trying to remember it is only a few weeks into the season.

Tonight the Raps finally get home again for what is hopefully a big win. They already beat the Sixers in Philly and should be able to handle them again tonight. The Sixers came into the season as one of the ‘It” teams that had a lot of promise based on how they ended last year. So far, they have fizzled. It will take some time to work Elton Brand into the mix and as it stands right not Iggy is not adjusting to his “Brand” new team.

A lot of good can be taken out of the Boston game and hopefully it all translates into future games starting tonight at the ACC.

Here is everything you need to know.

The goods

  • The Sixers haven’t looked like one of the conference’s better teams in the early going. They dropped their opener 95-84 at home to Toronto on Oct. 29 and have scored fewer than 90 points in each of their losses, sinking to last place in the Atlantic Division.
  • Philadelphia has lost all three of its road games, but Tuesday’s 93-80 home loss to Utah may have been even more disheartening, as the Sixers shot just 38 percent from the floor.
  • Andre Iguodala, the Sixers’ leading scorer with 19.9 points per game last season, has struggled, averaging 11.6 points and shooting 39 percent.
  • Jermaine O’Neal is averaging 12.3 points and 7.0 rebounds, while Chris Bosh has seen a spike in production, scoring 26 or more points in five of his seven games.
  • Starting tonight, six of the Raps next eight will be at the Air Canada Centre, where they were 25-16 last season.
  • Toronto has won eight of its last 10 overall against Philadelphia, with Bosh shooting 57 percent and averaging 24.6 points in those games.

For bettors

  • Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Toronto.
  • Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
  • 76ers are 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Toronto.
  • 76ers are 2-5-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
  • Road team is 19-7-1 ATS in the last 27 meetings.

Prediction

Raps get it done tonight in front of the home crowd winning 102-90.

Other links

Raptors Republic - They are not over Boston yet either.

Doug Smith’s Blog - Looking back to Boston and ahead to Philly.

Raptors Talk - Preview for tonight.

Raptors HQ - More thoughts on tonight.

The Recliner GM - Looking at the Sixers loss last night.

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