NBA Predictions: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets Picks
Four games make up the docket on Tuesday, with one top tier matchup headlining the quartet, which is where we begin.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets
Talk about hot.
Over their last dozen games, the Philadelphia 76ers have 10 wins. Since the All-Star break, they also have the best net rating in basketball, with their only two losses coming against the teams that rank second and third in that metric, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
In short, no Embiid, no problem.
Not only has their recent stretch probably taken the big guy out of any serious MVP consideration, but even more so out of the running for Defensive Player of the Year. Without Embiid for all but 20 minutes over their last 10 games, the Sixers have the top ranked defense in the NBA with a 101.9 defensive rating, which is nearly three points per 100 possessions stingier than the next best team.
Now they head to Denver, who scores 117.1 points per 100 possessions at home – the 5th best such mark in the NBA. The Nuggets are also scoring 118.9 points per 100 possessions since the break, which is second only to the Blazers over that span.
It’s notable here that the Sixers are susceptible to giving up big point totals to potent offenses though, as the Jazz scored 123 on them in the final contest before the break, and the Clippers just put up 122 in their more recent game. The bet here is that they won’t be able to contain the new look Nuggets, who put up an effortless 126 in Sunday night’s blowout win over the Hawks, who have a respectable defense in their own right.
Take advantage of a line that isn’t as large as it should be thanks to Philly’s recent success.
The Pick: Denver -4.5 @ -110 (Click To Bet)
Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The only offense worse than the Orlando Magic since the All-Star break has been the Cleveland Cavaliers. And most of those games came before they dealt away arguably their three best players, including Nikola Vucevic, who often times would be the sole force propping them up to respectability.
In the two games since deadline day, the Magic have put up 105 at home against the defensively challenged Blazers and 93 against the star-less Lakers in LA.
Now they go from the frying pan into the fire, staying in Los Angeles but playing a Clipper team that has won and covered five in a row. They have a 106.1 defensive rating over that stretch, seventh best in the NBA, all while putting up a staggering 124.8 points per 100 possessions, which is tops in the league by a full five points per 100 over that time.
This will not be a fair fight, and no line could possibly be high enough.
The Pick: Clippers -10 @ -110 (Click To Bet)
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Other NBA Games
Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards
Coincidence or not, the Hornets have covered all four games they’ve played since LaMelo Ball went down with a broken wrist, winning three outright. They come into Washington to face a Wizard team that has the 25th ranked net rating since the break at minus 6.2. Charlotte will carry the day.
Atlanta Hawks at Phoenix Suns
The fool’s gold Hawks are revealing themselves with three losses in four games following an eight-game winning streak against an incredibly soft schedule. Their only recent win has come against the Curry-less Warriors, and now, coming off a blowout loss in Denver, they head to Phoenix to face a Suns team that has lost just six times in the last two months. Go with the home squad.
NBA Expert Picks
(Click Odds To Bet)
Denver -4.5 @ -110 (Click To Bet)
Clippers -10 @ -110 (Click To Bet)
NBA Free Picks
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