Clippers, 76ers to Show Off Their Scoring Punch

The Philadelphia 76ers have handled just about every major test they’ve faced over the past two weeks, but a new challenge awaits Friday night as the Eastern Conference leaders tangle with the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. The 76ers (38-17 SU, 30-22-3 ATS) are modest favorites against a Clippers team (39-18 SU, 33-23-1 ATS) that comes in having won seven straight games.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The betting line hasn’t moved all that much, with the 76ers Sportsbook at -2 and now sitting at -2.5 at the majority of sportsbooks. The total, on the other hand, has seen a sharp drop from 226.5 all the way down to 220.5 in most spots.

Los Angeles News & Notes

It’s no secret who is responsible for the Clippers’ most recent run of success. The dynamic tandem of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George has stepped it up a notch in recent games, with Leonard averaging 26.5 points in the four games he has played during the winning streak and George putting together four consecutive games with 30 or more points for the first time all season.

With both players expected to be in action Friday night, who is the better daily fantasy option? While George’s scoring exploits have been impressive, the last two have come without Kawhi in the lineup – and Leonard is the better contributor in the peripheral stats. Leonard will cost you more, but he plays a more difficult position to fill in DFS and has a higher floor than just about anyone.

Philadelphia News & Notes

The 76ers didn’t exactly struggle in their 122-112 loss to the Clippers at Staples Center back on March 28 – they shot better than 50 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three-point range. It was the defense that let Philadelphia down, allowing the high-flying Clippers to connect at a 52.9 percent clip from the field and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc.

While the focus in Friday’s rematch will be on a stronger commitment to defense, the 76ers will also have the benefit of starting big man Joel Embiid, a luxury they didn’t have in the first meeting. Embiid is a game-changer in any circumstance but has seen a dip in his numbers this month, averaging 29.2 points and 8.8 rebounds on 47.3 percent shooting (all below his season marks).

Betting Pick: OVER 220.5 (-110)

This game will have no shortage of offensive skill players in action, and with neither team looking all that dangerous on defense in the first meeting, the OVER is a terrific play here.