The winless Detroit Pistons will look to win something, whether a game or the spread, as they visit Wells Fargo Center and take on the Philadelphia 76ers. The Pistons are 0-3 on both the point spread and moneyline and will be large underdogs Thursday per their NBA betting odds.
Philadelphia (2-2), on the other hand, has not been too hot either. The 76ers are expected even if star center Joel Embiid (knee) is banged up and star guard Ben Simmons (suspension) do not participate. But could Detroit pull off the upse?
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| Detroit | +10½ -110 | 213 -110o | 101½ -115o/-115u | |
| Philadelphia | -10½ -110 | 213 -110u | 112 -115o/-115u |
Team Previews
Pistons: Off To A ‘Fast’ Start
If Detroit’s goal was to once again acquire a high lottery pick, then it is off to a fast start. Detroit is the only winless team in the NBA having dropped back-to-back games against Chicago and getting blown out by Atlanta.
The Pistons are also dealing with injuries to several key players like last season’s leading scorer, forward Jerami Grant (elbow) and first overall pick, guard Cade Cunningham (ankle). Detroit is ranked last in the NBA in points scored (91.3) and three-point percent (22.5%).
On the bright side, Detroit is playing some reasonable defense. The team is ninth in defensive rating while their young forwards Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart are having strong starts to their sophomore seasons. There is a lot to like here but with an impoverished offense, Detroit will be tough to bet online.
76ers: Managing Assets
There is no need to push the panic button in Philadelphia. The season is young and things can only get better… right? Now management has plenty of headaches when it comes to figuring out the short term versus the long term: salvaging Embiid’s health.
Embiid has been playing through a knee injury and will likely need to be rested. Philadelphia has a .490 winning record when Embiid or Simmons play without the other and it would be worse now with Embiid hobbled. Still, the team has plenty of talent to handle a lottery team like Detroit.
The Sixers will need forward Tobias Harris to keep plugging. The $180-millionr man disappeared in Philly’s final playoff moments, but he is carrying the team with 20 points, 9.3 boards, and five assists.
Betting Pick
With or without Embiid, the Sixers should be able to take down Detroit. The double-digit spread is a hefty expectation given that Philly is only 2-2 against the spread (ATS). But these two wins came against Oklahoma City (-9.5) and New Orleans (-3.5), teams they were supposed to beat.
Philadelphia went 12-11 ATS when favored by eight or more points last season although it only covered one of its three games versus the Pistons. But Philly has also covered its last six home games against Detroit.
The disparity in these franchises lately has been significant. Despite Philadelphia’s dysfunctions of late, it should be able to clobber Detroit and build its confidence back up. Take the Sixers and the points on the sportsbook.
Pick: Philadelphia 76ers -10.5 (-110)
Bonus Pick
As an extra NBA free pick, we like this game to go under despite the totals already being low at 217. Both Philadelphia and Detroit have defensive chops and the latter has struggled to shoot the rock. Four of Philadelphia’s last five games at home have also gone under while five of Detroit’s last seven overall have as well.
