Thanks to absences on the Philadelphia 76ers side, this heavyweight tilt against the Utah Jazz has been reduced to a squash match of sorts. Las Vegas’ NBA odds have the Jazz (8-5) as sizable betting favorites, the largest for Tuesday. But Philadelphia (8-6) can roll into town like gangsters and pull off the upset.
The Sixers have lost four straight without Joel Embiid (COVID) and Matisse Thybulle (COVID protocol). Of course, you-know-who (Ben Simmons) is more likely to set foot in an actual court than a basketball court. But if Philly can channel some of that underdog magic, it may just make the Mormons blush.
76ers vs Jazz NBA Odds Preview
- Point Spread: Philadelphia +10
- Moneyline: Philadelphia +350, Utah -450
- Total: Over/Under 216
76ers: Yo, Adrian!
Rocky is black-and-blue from the beatings the Sixers have been taking lately. The Sixers were rolling on Cloud Nine after taking out Chicago, but have since lost their next four games. Philly is now 2-5 as a plus-money bet. The prime suspect is the defense.
The Sixers, believe it or not, have the best offense in the NBA. But with the 26th-ranked defense, the team is allowing just as many if not more points back. Guard Tyrese Maxey has been a revelation, averaging 29.3 points with a 586/500/1000 shooting line in his last three games.
Tyrese Maxey has improved more in one offseason then Ben Simmons has in five
— Mike Meech (@meechone) November 10, 2021
In fact, the team has a 54.7 percent effective field goal rate. But without Embiid, the Sixers are visibly smaller and have been getting bullied on the boards. If not that, the team is just letting opponents score at will. No Embiid, no pressure to win, right?
Jazz: Rinse, Repeat
The Jazz are a boring team. No, not because they play in Utah, but because they are quite predictable – predictably excellent. Utah, a team that ruled the “three-and-D” concept last season, is back at it, allowing the second-fewest threes while attempting the third-most.
Utah can do this consistently because of big man Rudy Gobert leading a stout frontcourt that gives up the fewest defensive rebounds. What hasn’t been consistent with Utah is its online sports betting results. The Jazz are just 7-6 against the spread (ATS) and have dropped four of their last five.
Of course, Mike Conley missed a few games and their offense is a shell of itself when he’s unavailable. But with a healthy lineup, Utah should return to being a money train and will be worth every penny when betting online.
76ers vs Jazz Betting Pick
Give us Utah with the points all day here. The Jazz are not the type of team to mess around with, especially given where Philadelphia is weak: defense and rebounding. Utah should be able to light up Philly’s sloppy defending and further pound them with second-chance opportunities.
This is the perfect type of “get-well” game for the Jazz, who need to get a dominating win to justify their lofty spreads every game. Cash on this NBA free pick before the Jazz get priced out.
Pick: Utah Jazz -10
Bonus Pick
Steph Curry is getting all the love on the NBA Regular Season MVP futures, but Embiid at 16-1 is mad disrespectful. If the Sixers keep losing without him, it will only strengthen his case as the MVP. The Warriors can’t stay hot forever and Philadelphia will return to being the top team in the East with Embiid.
