The Philadelphia 76ers close the regular season with an opportunity to still reach the Eastern Conference’s top seed with four games to play. It starts with a 7 p.m. ET game on Tuesday visiting the Indiana Pacers, who account for two of those four matchups left.
The 76ers (48-30) are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the third seed and a half-game behind the Boston Celtics for the second seed. Philly is 2.5 games behind the top-seeded Miami Heat. The remaining schedule includes a return trip from the Pacers after a game in Toronto (currently sixth) and then a finale against the Detroit Pistons.
Indiana (25-54) has secured a top-10 pick following a season with a myriad of injuries and an in-season trade, which has rejuvenated fans to some extent. The acquisition of Tyrese Haliburton, former No. 12 overall pick of the Sacramento Kings, has given the Pacers’ fan base excitement. He’s averaging 17.3 points, 9.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game in 23 games with the Pacers.
The line opened at Philadelphia -12 with an over/under of 231. Those have since moved to Philadelphia -11.5 with an over/under of 234 as of this writing.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview: Let the Kids Play
Indiana’s injury list is long with typical starters and rotational players out for the season: Myles Turner, T.J. Warren, Ricky Rubio, and Chris Duarte. Malcolm Brogdon is out indefinitely with a back injury and could fit in that group.
It allows guys like Haliburton, newly acquired Buddy Hield, Terry Taylor, Oshae Brissett, Duane Washington Jr. and others to get some playing time to finish out a season many were added to in-season. Brissett was a 10-day contract guy a year ago but he’s played 64 games.
Washington has 45 games, Taylor 30, Jalen Smith 50, and almost all of those guys had contracts converted after having 10-day tryouts due to a COVID-19 spell early in the year.
Indiana is 14th in scoring this season averaging 111 points per game and 17th in converting 46.2% of attempts.
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview: Pound It Inside
It is true most nights, but especially Tuesday night, that Joel Embiid is unguardable. The Pacers don’t have anybody to match up with the Most Valuable Player candidate who is averaging 30.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. Philly needs to get the ball in deep to Embiid and let him work.
They can also continue to build continuity with James Harden, who is averaging 22.0 points, 9.8 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game in 18 games since being traded by the Brooklyn Nets. Adding him alongside Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey and Co. should give Philadelphia a needed offensive boost.
The Sixers are 20th in scoring (109.2 ppg), 16th in efficiency (46.3% on field goals) and 11th on 3-point efficiency (36.0%). Though defensively they are sixth, allowing 106.8 points per game, and eighth in 3-point efficiency, forcing teams to convert 34.5%.
Philadelphia vs. Indiana Betting Prediction
Philadelphia is 36-40-2 against the spread and 31-41-3 on over/unders this season, including a 26-13 road record straight up. Indiana is 34-42-3 against the spread and 43-35-1 on over/unders, and is 16-24 at home.
There’s no doubt the 76ers have the talent advantage, likely even if they decide to rest guys. But they have playoff seeding at stake and a realistic shot at moving up, so expect them to play to win, and do so. But the 12 points is a steep ask against a Pacers team they previously lost to. We’ll take the Pacers to cover.
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