T.M. Selection: Toronto Raptors.

I like the Toronto Raptors to cover the spread against the Philadelphia 76ers in this game on Thursday. The Raptors were down 3-0 in this series at one point but the series is 3-2 now and they have made their way back in it after stealing a road game from the 76ers in their most recent game. The Raptors went into Philly in game 5 and they didn't just win that game, they dominated it. They jumped out to a very early lead and they never really looked back, hanging onto that lead for the entire game and even growing it more with the final score being a win by 15 points. They held the 76ers to 88 points on their own floor and their defensive effort was great in that game. I think they are going to have the same defensive intensity that they have had in their previous 2 games and I think they are going to shut down the offense of the 76ers. The Raptors even beat the 76ers in Philly without VanVleet in the lineup and I think they can repeat it here on their home court. Embiid hasn't been the same player in this series since sustaining his thumb injury and Harden has been called out by Embiid for not picking up the slack in their games. I think Harden still feels uncomfortable playing his game on the court with the 76ers and I think that is going to be their downfall in this game. The crowd is going to be energized for this game too and I think the Raptors will be able to feed off of that all night. I think this series is getting tied up here and going back to Philly for game 7. I like the Raptors to cover the spread in this game.

T.M. Prediction: 106-99 Raptors.