A road trip that began with promise ended in misery for the Philadelphia 76ers, who return home Wednesday to face the Houston Rockets. The 76ers (18-10 SU, 14-12-2 ATS) are coming off a 1-3 trip through the Western Conference but are double-digit favorites against a Rockets team (11-16 SU, 10-17 ATS) in even worse shape as it looks to halt a six-game losing skid.
- Date/Time: February 17, 7 p.m. ET
- Arena: Wells Fargo Center
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Sportsbook Odds: 76ers -10.5 | O/U 225.5 (Line History)
- Rockets vs 76ers Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Philadelphia kicked off the betting cycle as a 10.5-point favorite; if it holds, it will mark just the third time all season that the 76ers are favored by double digits. The total opened at 225.5, with the OVER and UNDER an identical -110.
Houston News & Notes
The Rockets haven’t had their optimal starting lineup for a while now, and will again be down multiple players Wednesday. Power forward Christian Wood remains out indefinitely with an ankle injury, while forward Eric Gordon (groin) and guard Victor Oladipo (foot) are both listed as doubtful for the finale of a stretch in which Houston has played eight of 10 games on the road.
This should mean plenty of burn for star guard John Wall, who is coming off a sensational effort in defeat against his former team. Wall, who was taken first overall by Washington in 2010 and was dealt to Houston last December, had 29 points and 11 assists in the 131-119 loss. He should see plenty of playing time Wednesday and is a terrific DFS option at a reasonable salary.
Philadelphia News & Notes
The 76ers have seen their lead atop the Eastern Conference shrink to one game after dropping the final three games of their four-game West Coast trek, most recently falling 134-123 to the Utah Jazz.
Philadelphia had to do without Joel Embiid for that one after he was a late scratch due to back tightness, but he’s considered probable for Wednesday’s tilt with the Rockets.
His return sets up an intriguing showdown with Houston center DeMarcus Cousins, who was one of the league’s most dominant big men in his prime but has been slowed by injuries over the years.
Embiid is averaging 33.2 points and 9.8 rebounds in the month of February, and not even a matchup with Cousins should impede his ability to put up huge daily fantasy numbers.
Betting Pick: UNDER 225.5 (-110)
Houston’s offensive potential is severely hampered by the absence of three players who combine to average 59.2 points per game. Combined with the Rockets’ rock-solid defensive play, this one should come in below the total.
- The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.
- The 76ers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 home games.
- The OVER is 10-4 in Philadelphia’s last 14 games.
