Raptors vs. 76ers Monday NBA injury report, Game 5 spread, odds: Fred VanVleet out, Matisse Thybulle back
The Sixers can finish off the Raptors on Monday.
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Could Monday night be the last game as Toronto Raptors coach for Nick Nurse? He has been linked to the open Los Angeles Lakers job, and the Raptors' season is likely to end tonight in Philadelphia as they are without All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet and up to 8-point underdogs at Caesars Sportsbook. The Sixers will welcome back their top perimeter defender in guard Matisse Thybulle for Game 5 and leading the series 3-1. Click here for model picks.
VanVleet strained his hip flexor in Saturday's Game 4 win in Toronto and that he already has been ruled out for this game means it's obviously pretty serious and that his status for a potential Game 6 if the Raptors can somehow force one is in jeopardy as well. VanVleet played less than 15 minutes Saturday because of the injury and ripped his jersey in frustration when leaving the court.
In being named an All-Star for the first time, VanVleet averaged 20.3 points, 6.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds. He ranked sixth in the NBA in steals per game (1.7), second in total deflections (254) and third in threes (240). In this series, he has struggled, averaging 13.8 points on 36.3 percent shooting along with 6.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds. NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, who missed Games 2 and 3 with a sprained ankle but returned off the bench in Game 4, figures to start in VanVleet's place tonight.
Gary Trent Jr. could find himself as the only traditional guard in a four-forward starting lineup. Trent was limited by a non-COVID illness in the first two games but has scored 24 points in each of the past two. He is set at Over/Under 19.5 points for this one.
As for Thybulle, he isn't vaccinated for COVID so he couldn't travel to Toronto. He doesn't offer much offensively but is a terrific defensive player. Instead of replacing him in Toronto, the Sixers shortened their rotation from nine to eight players in both games and veteran Danny Green played 46 minutes in Game 3.
Philadelphia fans almost are nervous that their team has a 3-1 lead because Doc Rivers is the only head coach in NBA history to blow three of them to lose a series. He did it once with the Magic and twice with the Clippers. In NBA history, 13 teams have overcome a 3-1 playoff series deficit.
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