Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets - NBA prediction

Details:

Both 76ers and Nets are among the top three teams in the Eastern Conference but had different opening nights of the season.

The Sixers are coming off a 117-97 road victory over the New Orleans Pelicans as four players scored at least 20 points. Joel Embiid, who finished second in MVP voting last year, expectedly led the way with 22 points which surprisingly was achieved by Furkan Korkmaz who had 4-4 from the three-point line. Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey, who started in place of Ben Simmons, had 20.

Simmons who is on bad terms with the team has shown up for the training camp, just not to be financially penalized, but is still pushing for a trade. He will not suit up for the Nets game, while Harris is questionable due to a minor knee injury.

The Nets also have “disciplinary” issues with their star point guard, as Kyrie Irving refuses to be vaccinated in order to be allowed to play by the state regulations.

The Nets had a tough season opener as they lost 127-104 to the reigning champions Milwaukee Bucks who eliminated them from last year’s playoffs.

Kevin Durant was on his level, scoring 32 points, followed by the sixth-man Patty Mills with 21 and James Harden with 20.

The Friday night clash will give many answers on who will be the frontrunner in the East in the first part of the season.

Key facts

• Last season the Sixers were 29-7 at home
• The Nets were 20-16 on road last season
• The Sixers were ranked second in Defensive Rating (107.0) last season
• The Sixers have won four of their last five games against the Nets

Losing to another Eastern Conference contender at the start of the season will be a tough pill to swallow for Nets’ coach Steve Nash but he simply does not have the personnel to hold off Joel Embiid. Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Paul Millsap and Nicolas Clarxon would switch on him, but there is nothing they can do about it.

Seth Curry, Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz are great shooters who will use every double-team on Embiid to hit a three-pointer.

Of course, the Nets have Kevin Durant and James Harden and if some of them don’t have a great night, it will be tough for the Nets to escape undefeated.

The Nets are favorites to win but the 5.5 spread for the Sixers at 1.67 seems like a safe bet.

Value Bet

Philadelphia 76ers to win and team total over 110.5

3.3

Bet Now