The NBA schedule has a funny way of working itself out. The Brooklyn Nets finished 45-37 and sixth in the Eastern Conference and will play in the NBA playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, who were 54-28 and third. It is the first of four NBA games tonight after the play-in was settled Friday.
The 76ers feature superstar guard James Harden, who was acquired from the Nets for Ben Simmons, who is out for the season with a back injury.
The Nets also traded away Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, but the returning talent gave the Nets a different way to contend.
Here is a breakdown of each team, Nets vs 76ers odds today, picks, and a prediction.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Odds
Moneyline: Nets vs 76ers odds today show Brooklyn is +290 on the moneyline, and Philadelphia is -370.
Spread: The Brooklyn Nets spread is +8.5 points at -110 odds, while the 76ers are -8.5 (-110).
Over/Under: The over/under is 214.5 points with -110 odds on either side. The NBA odds today show the Nets’ implied team total is 103, with -115 odds on the over or under. The 76ers’ implied team total is 111.5, with -120 odds on the over and -110 on the under.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Matchup Information
Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers
Location of the Game: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA.
Date and Time: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 1:00 PM ET.
How to Watch: ESPN
Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets’ makeover included receiving Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and a whole package of picks for Irving and Durant in separate trades. It gave them more versatility defensively while taking away two elite scorers for a more balanced approach.
Brooklyn finished 20th in scoring 113.4 points per game but was seventh in making 48.7% of field goal attempts and fifth with 37.8% of 3-point shots falling, NBA team stats showed. Defensively, the Nets were 10th in allowing 112.5 points per game and fourth at holding teams to 46.3% on field goal attempts, but 21st in allowing 36.7% on 3-pointers.
The Nets were 41-39-2 against the spread and 37-44-1 on over/unders. They were 22-17 against the spread as underdogs, including 6-2 when underdogs of 7.5 points or more.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers played with great pace and great defense during the regular season. They were third in allowing 110.9 points per game and fifth at holding opponents to 34.8% on 3-pointers. Offensively, they were 14th in scoring 115.2 points per game and were the top team in 3-pointers at 38.7% and free throws at 83.5%.
NBA player stats show Embiid averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game. He is one of the two top candidates for Most Valuable Player.
Philadelphia was 48-34 against the spread and 43-38-1 on over/unders during the regular season. It was 33-23 against the spread as favorites, including 9-6 when favored by 7.5 points or more.
Key Injuries
The Philadelphia 76ers injury report is lengthy since it hasn’t been updated since Monday. It includes Harden (Achilles), MVP candidate Joel Embiid (calf), starter Tobias Harris (hip), and several other key players. But it is likely all cosmetic as they have battled injuries for several weeks.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Picks
NBA picks today show 68% of public bets have the 76ers covering the spread, and 69% of bets are on the over. But the Nets are 4-1 against the spread in their last five meetings in Philadelphia.
With the Nets vs 76ers odds today and the fact that Philadelphia is 1-4 against the spread when favored by 7.5 to 9.5 points, we will take the Nets to cover.
It will be the first meeting since the trades with teams at full strength.
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