Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard Fred VanVleet (23) and forward Pascal Siakam (43) talk in the first half against the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)
NBA Odds: Raptors-Sixers on ESPN – They produced one of the most memorable postseason moments in NBA history last May. Will the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers meet again in the Eastern Conference playoffs? First, they’ll do battle this Wednesday in the Orlando bubble, tipping off at 6:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Toronto went on to win the 2018-19 title after Kawhi Leonard delivered the winning dagger in Game 7 of their Eastern semifinal against the Sixers. Leonard is now with the Los Angeles Clippers, but after taking five of their first six bubble games, the 50-19 Raptors (.725) have a better record than they did last season. Coach of the Year favorite Nick Nurse has put his deep and talented roster in the best position possible to defend their championship.
The 42-28 Sixers thought they found the winning formula earlier this year when their key offseason pick-up, Al Horford, was moved from the starting rotation to a sixth-man role. But the loss of All-Star Ben Simmons (subluxated left patella) for what appears to be the rest of the season has forced Horford back into the starting five. Joel Embiid is also iffy after rolling his left ankle during Sunday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
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