The NBA playoffs start with the Brooklyn Nets paying a visit to the Wells Fargo Center to tip off against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Sportsbook round of the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn finished the regular season on a high note, rattling off three straight wins, while Philadelphia dropped four of its last six. These teams split their four-game season series and the 76ers are a 5.5-point favorite in this game with the total Sportsbook at 230.5 points.
Standout Stats
- Brooklyn had a strong ending to the regular season, going 6-4 SU and 7-3 ATS through its final 10 games with an average winning margin of 9.5 over that span. Conversely, Philadelphia was just so-so down the stretch, posting a record of 4-6 SU and ATS through its final 10 with an average losing margin of 13.33. The 76ers and Nets split their four-game season set with each team picking up a home and a road win.
- Both teams have had their difficulties keeping points off the board defensively and that has led to the OVER being a profitable play. The total went OVER in half of the Nets’ last 10 games with an average combined score of 233.4, while the 76ers went OVER in seven of their last 10 with an average combined score of 232.6. The total went OVER in three of the four meetings between these squads this season with an average combined score of 238.75.
- As mentioned above, Philly has had its struggles defensively through its last 10 games, ranking 24th in the league by surrendering 117.4 ppg over that span. Additionally, the 76ers are giving up the seventh-most shot attempts and those shots are falling 47.5 percent of the time, which ranks 22nd. That being said, the offense has been fairly good down the stretch, chipping in 115.2 ppg to rank 11th, and they sit 10th with a 47.2 shooting percentage over that span.
- Points haven’t been hard to come by in the latter stages of the season for Brooklyn, which poured in 117.8 ppg in its last 10 while taking the sixth-most shot attempts, including the fourth-most three-point attempts over that span. On the defensive side of the ball, the Nets have allowed the 10th-most ppg at 115.8 but have also given up the third-most shot attempts at 95.5.
- I anticipate a battle on the glass between two good rebounding teams. Brooklyn secured the third-most boards per game in its last 10 games, while Philly was just two spots behind in fifth. The Nets had some issues with ball possession down the stretch, though, averaging 15.4 giveaways per game to rank 28th, but luckily for them, the 76ers ranked 28th in takeaways.
- Joel Embiid is listed as out for the 76ers and that could play a big factor in points in the paint as Philly ranked sixth in the Association with 53.4 PITP in its last 10 games. Brooklyn is rated 27th with 52.6 PITP surrendered per game.
My Best Bet for Brooklyn vs Philadelphia
Brooklyn +5.5
Philadelphia hasn’t been clicking defensively down the stretch, while Brooklyn has been performing well offensively, and I think the Nets will be able to hang tough to set the stage for a competitive series. Additionally, with Joel Embiid not playing, that leaves the door open for Brooklyn.
Brooklyn is 6-4 SU and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games.away The total has gone OVER in seven of Philadelphia’s last 10 games.home Philadelphia and Brooklyn split their four-game season series.
