TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASKETBALL SELECTION MONDAY, APRIL 24TH
#533 TORONTO (+8) over Philadelphia at 8 PM EST
With the Sixers banged up at the moment (Joel Embiid has a thumb, Fred VanVleet out with a hip, and rookie Scottie Barnes has an ankle), the Raptors will do just enough to hang close in this elimination battle.
In this series taking the floor with confidence off a straight up win, the Dinosaurs have been at their financial best posting a proud 35-16 SU and 36-15 ATS record in their last 51 meetings. In this run priced as an underdog, Toronto improves to a solid 17-4 ATS. Equally impressive, since 1991, Round 1 Game 5 teams that are down 3-1 in the series hold a respectable 32-19-2 ATS tally provided they do not take the floor off a blowout loss of 14 points or more. If our “play on” side owns a team won/loss percentage of .540 or higher, this technical situation cruises to a profitable 24-7-2 ATS. That bodes well for the Raptors.
There are a couple of angles that work against the Sixers here too. First, as a division host arriving off a road game, Philly owns a soft 42-63-1 ATS record provided its opponent played in the comforts of home last. If the 76ers are running the court against an opponent that enters with confidence off a straight up win, this trend drops to a shocking 8-28 ATS including a jaw-dropping 3-21 ATS provided both teams are rested. Second, when priced as a favorite of -7 or more and matched up against a foe that arrives off a straight up win, the Sixers hold a round 2-13 ATS record in their last 15 games.
The home team might get the straight up win here but it won’t come easily. Philly is banged up right now and the Raptors will give it all they’ve got from start to finish. Take Toronto. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
MICKEY’S 5* NBA PLAYOFF ROUND 1 GAME OF THE YEAR
The TSPC is back in action on Monday night and Mick takes the lead with a rare 5* NBA Playoff Best Bet. This monster wager is supported by a stunning 33-8 ATS power angle and a reliable 39-22 ATS postseason technical situation. Grab Mick’s 5* NBA Playoff Round 1 Game of the Year for $30.