Raptors vs. 76ers in NBA playoffs: Schedule, how to watch, betting odds

After missing out on the playoffs in an adversity-filled 2020-21 campaign, the Toronto Raptors find themselves back in the postseason this spring.

Toronto has exceeded expectations this season, locking up the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are a young group that is very much still improving, but they also feature several holdovers from the 2019 team that won the NBA championship.

The Raptors will meet the fourth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs in what should be a very intriguing matchup. Here's what you need to know about the series.

Schedule and broadcast information

Game 1 (at Philadelphia): Saturday, April 16 @ 6:00 p.m. ET (TSN/ESPN)

Game 2 (at Philadelphia): Monday, April 18 @ 7:30 p.m. ET (TSN/TNT)

Game 3 (at Toronto): Wednesday, April 20 @ 8:00 p.m. ET (Sportsnet/NBATV)

Game 4 (at Toronto): Saturday, April 23 @ 2:00 p.m. ET (Sportsnet/TNT)

Game 5 (at Philadelphia): Monday, April 25 (Time TBD, Sportsnet)*

Game 6 (at Toronto): Thursday, April 28 (Time TBD, TSN)*

Game 7 (at Philadelphia): Saturday, April 30 (Time TBD, Sportsnet)*

*If necessary

Who are the star players to watch?

For the Raptors, keep your eyes on point guard Fred VanVleet and forward Pascal Siakam, who were both members of the 2019 championship-winning team. VanVleet enjoyed a career-best season and earned his first all-star selection as Kyle Lowry joined the Miami Heat. Siakam re-established himself as one of the NBA's best players, showcasing his scoring, playmaking and defensive abilities whenever he took the court this year.

Philadelphia is paced by two elite talents in Joel Embiid and James Harden. Embiid made history by leading the league in scoring this season with 30.6 points per game. The Cameroonian centre is also in the running for the MVP award. Harden joined the 76ers in the middle of the year in a blockbuster deal that sent Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets. Harden isn't scoring as much as he used to, but he's still one of the game's most dangerous players and can beat you in a number of ways.

How did the matchup play out in the regular season?

The Atlantic Division rivals squared off four times in 2021-22, with the Raptors winning three of those contests. Two of Toronto's victories came with both Embiid and Harden in the Sixers' lineup. VanVleet only suited up in the first meeting, which the Raptors also won.

Have these teams met in the playoffs before?

Toronto and Philadelphia have played two playoff series against one another, with both teams claiming an epic seven-game victory. The 76ers emerged victorious in 2001 when Vince Carter missed a game-winning shot at the buzzer. Kawhi Leonard changed the narrative in 2019 by delivering one of the most iconic moments in Canadian sports history.

Betting odds (via BetMGM)

Raptors to win series: +150

76ers to win series: -185

Series to end in 4 games: +600

Series to end in 5 games: +240

Series to end in 6 games: +200

Series to end in 7 games: +200

Raptors to win Game 1: +155

76ers to win Game 1: -190

Game 1 Raptors +4.5: -110

Game 1 76ers -4.5: -110

Game 1 Over/Under 217.5: -110

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