The Toronto Raptors (20-4 SU, 12-12 ATS) have the best record in the NBA, and they’re getting the attention that comes with it. The Raptors will lead off ESPN’s Wednesday double-header at 8 PM ET when they host the Philadelphia 76ers (17-8 SU, 11-14 ATS). It’s their second meeting of the season; Toronto won the first 129-112 as 6-point home favourites.
That was on October 30, before the 76ers acquired swingman Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Three of Philadelphia’s starters from that game are no longer in the lineup: Robert Covington and Dario Saric, who went to Minnesota in the Butler deal, and Markelle Fultz, who’s away from the team with a lingering shoulder ailment. The Sixers are 8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS with Butler on board.
The Raptors, meanwhile, were close to full strength during their first encounter. Fred VanVleet was unavailable; he’s healthy now, but Norman Powell is out with a shoulder injury of his own. Kyle Lowry missed Saturday’s 106-95 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers (+12.5 at home) with a sore back, although Saturday may have been more of a maintenance day for Lowry than anything else.
