Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors 10/4/21 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The Monday NBA preseason schedule will tip-off with a matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors. The 76ers (49-23) finished first in the Eastern Conference during the regular season and were bounced in the second round of the playoffs by Atlanta. All-Star C Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

The big question mark for Philadelphia heading into the season is if All-Star G Ben Simmons will play for the team. Simmons finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting and has vowed to sit out until the 76ers grant his trade request.

The Toronto Raptors are a couple of seasons removed from being NBA Champions and failed to qualify for the playoffs last year. The Raptors (27-45) finished in the middle of the pack in offensive and defensive efficiency, while taking down the stretch. Toronto returns the talented duo of F Pascal Siakam (21.4 ppg) and G Fred Van Vleet (19.6 ppg).

Toronto traded All-Star G Kyle Lowry to Miami in the offseason and are committed to playing a young core of players. The Raptors drafted versatile F Scottie Barnes with the number four overall draft pick to improve their defense.