We have ourselves a heavyweight Eastern Conference showdown as the Brooklyn Nets meet the Philadelphia 76ers for the third time this season. The NBA betting odds place a near-full strength Nets as the slight favorites. With the latest news, stats, and injury reports analyzed, which team has the edge?
Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets
Nets Are Healthier, But Are They Better?
Brooklyn has won six of its last seven games despite the myriad of absences mostly due to health and safety protocols. Kevin Durant will be returning to the court along with LaMarcus Aldridge. Brooklyn has gone 3-2 without “KD”.
The former MVP is right behind former teammate Stephen Curry when it comes to the MVP odds. Durant is posting his best season, leading the NBA with 29.7 points while having a 25.8 PER and making the Nets better by seven points when he is on the court.
Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and LaMarcus Aldridge have cleared the league’s health and safety protocols pic.twitter.com/knAKT8cb9m
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 28, 2021
Brooklyn has been solid on the point spread lately, having covered six of their last ten games although their overall record is still a brutal 14-17-1. They will need to do better at home where they are just 4-11-1 against the spread (ATS). Three points should be manageable to bet online, right?
Embiid Can Barely Keep Sixers Afloat
Philadelphia has also been nicked by COVID with players like Danny Green, Shake Milton, and Andre Drummond all in quarantine. The 76ers have been a .500 team in its last ten games and are just 3-7 ATS despite Joel Embiid’s herculean efforts.
Last season’s MVP runner-up is making a strong push to be included in the conversation again. After a slow start, Embiid has been in peak form. In his last ten appearances, Embiid has put up 30.5 points and 10.8 boards with a 536/371/875 shooting line. This would be the best line in fantasy if Nikola Jokic didn’t exist.
However, the Sixers have been a bottom-ten offense during this span and their once-elite defense has become all but average. Embiid can keep “beasting” and he’s the sole reason this team will be worth a look on the online sports betting site.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets Head to Head
Philadelphia | Stat | Brooklyn |
6-4 | Record | 4-6 |
5-5-0 | Point Spread | 5-5-0 |
6-4-0 | Over/Under | 6-4-0 |
112.70 | Average Score | 110.50 |
54.80 | Half Time | 56.50 |
Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets Game Information
Date: December 30, 2021
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Barclays Center
Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets Betting Lines
Philadelphia | Brooklyn | |
+135 | Moneyline | -155 |
41.18% | Implied Probability | 58.82% |
+3 (-110) | Point Spread | -3 (-110) |
217 (-110o) | Total | 217 (-110u) |
Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction
Let’s give Embiid our respect just like the betting odds are. He’s the reason why Philadelphia isn’t a bigger underdog here seeing as the team is 7-4 ATS as a road dog. Combined with Brooklyn’s difficulties at home, Philly could warrant a small wager here.
But three points is not too big a spread for the Nets to cover even if they are 2-4 as a three-point favorite or less. Brooklyn has too much firepower and depth for Philadelphia to overcome. The Nets’ bench is eighth in the league with a +1.5 plus-minus while Philly’s is -0.2 and that’s the edge.
Pick: Brooklyn Nets -3 (-110)
Five of the last seven games with Philadelphia in Brooklyn have gone over the total. But we’re bucking the trend here as Philly’s offensive woes combined with Brooklyn’s top-three defense will lead to a low-scoring game.
Pick: Under 217 (-110)
Parlay: Nets -3 and Under 217 at +264