The Portland Trail Blazers games are always full of surprises, but at least they finally have Jusuf Nurkic back. The NBA team stats from their centers have been less than impressive, leaving their guards and wings to have to fill most of the void on their own.
The lack of statistical dominance has been tough to see from them, as they had always had a playmaking center at some juncture, even when they had Hassan Whiteside holding things down back in the day.
The Philadelphia 76ers injury report, meanwhile, isn’t looking too bad. James Harden should be able to get himself back on the court for this one, a game that NBA schedule makers wanted to see the star point guards duel in.
Joel Embiid’s MVP Campaign Efforts
Joel Embiid is doing everything he can to try and enter the MVP conversation ahead of Nikola Jokic, but it just does not seem to be working for him. Whatever numbers he has and whatever games the team wins, Jokic is the one getting all the love. His NBA player stats are truly incredible, but are they enough?
As we venture deeper here, let’s go ahead and take a look at the Trail Blazers vs 76ers odds.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers Odds
The NBA expert picks have Philly as a favorite, with the line set at Philadelphia -8.5. With the better star players out there and an All-NBA big man, they won’t be an easy bunch to stop.
With the combination of James Harden and Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt, they have a fluid lineup, and they will hope to get Tobias Harris back for this one. If they don’t, it’s next man up, and the team has enough to handle what they have to do.
On the Over/Under side, the game line is 230. The 76ers had a game last week where the score against the Pacers in regulation was 147-143, which was hard to see coming.
Assessing the Portland Trail Blazers’ Performance in the Absence of Key Players
Though players were missing, the core ones were all still out there. Because they failed to perform, it really didn’t look good for them, and as a result, perhaps they pick things up coming into this one. We know Lillard and his teammates are good for any high-scoring affair.
As for moneyline bets, it is listed at POR +297 and PHI -375. If you have any sort of confidence in the visiting underdogs, there’s a nice chance to put some money on the table and cash in big. They aren’t a team that Vegas expects to get it done, and should that be the case, well, Philly holds, and the larger bets will do more.
The Trail Blazers vs Sixers odds are set, and this promises to be an exciting battle.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers Matchup Information
Portland Trail Blazers vs Philadelphia 76ers
Location of the Game: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Date and Time: Friday, March 10th at 7:00 PM EST.
How to Watch: Root Sports NW | https://livestreamsports.co/
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview
Portland Trail Blazers Facts To Know
Trail Blazers has been very up and down throughout the year, not going on any crazy winning streaks to bring them near .500. Seeds 5-13 in the West are extremely close, and every time any team loses and another wins, they put a little more distance in it.
Things have been crazier than normal with this seeding race, so every last game matters. Dame has been having another incredible year while continuing to talk his talk. He will not have a chance at the MVP unless he averages 40+ points per game for an entire season at this point.
But the NBA odds are not favoring these guys. They know a challenge when they see one, and we know them to be capable of stepping up to it. Anfernee Simons’s absence has weighed rather heavily, but the win-loss, win-loss-loss run they have been on this season hasn’t been ideal.
With the new pieces brought in, they were expected to be better. Might it be time to bring a new head coach in here? Chauncey Billups might not be the one for the role.
When Simons is able to return, and they can start their normal five, perhaps they can be the team they hoped for when bringing in Matisse Thybulle and Cam Reddish.
Philadelphia 76ers To Know
One of the best home teams in the league, any NBA matchups happening in Philly are tough for the road warriors to come out and let themselves celebrate pulling one out.
The elite teams of the league have all been incredible in games on their home floor this year, making seeding more important than it has ever been. This hasn’t been anything new; the crazy Sixer faithful bringing the juice to guide their team when they truly need it.
They will have their top three guys on the floor, but it’s clear that Doc Rivers is going to have to do something to fix his bench rotation. It’s not been pretty to watch him shuffle between options, though Paul Reed finally joining the fray has been enjoyable. He’s long earned it, and for all the other guys they have signed to play ahead of him, he’s getting his chance.
Does Matisse Thybulle get cheered or booed by the local fans? That’s the burning question for the evening.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Picks
Over 230
The Trail Blazers vs 76ers odds are pretty fair; the higher Over/Under is listed here because both NBA teams have struggled at times on D and have extremely potent offenses with which they are able to work with. The over is surely going to hit because the top dogs on both sides will not be able to be stopped.
Embiid has no equal on the other side, while Harden and Maxey will be playmaking from the start of the game until the conclusion of it. That’s just how it’s going to be going down.
The points will be free-flowing, and it’s okay to expect 1-2 guys to top the 40-point plateau in this battle.
Moneyline 76ers -8.5
The moneyline bets should lean toward Philly. Portland is not reliable in any way, shape or form, and the truth is that for the playoff success that has happened in the Dame era, all of their years have seen them towards the middle.
The play-in is likely their calling card for 2023, and it’s too bad. When will they finally get a team they can be proud of? Lillard will not be going anywhere anytime soon, but it’s going to wind up being a shame we never see him in the NBA Finals.
Embiid is due for another big one, and Harden’s return will make it hard for the opposition to attempt to slow them down. Even in a game where the poaching battle isn’t too enticing, things should lean toward another home victory. Put it in the books.
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