The Oklahoma City Thunder look to avoid their first three-game losing streak since early January when they host the Philadelphia 76ers tonight and if history repeats itself, the Sixers could be in trouble. The Thunder have won 19 consecutive games vs the Sixers with Philly not getting a win in this matchup since November 2008. That’s an awful trend to be facing for a 76ers squad that is already short-handed with Joel Embiid on the sideline.
The Thunder opened as 7.5-point favorites (since moved to -5) with a total of 239.
STANDOUT STATS
- The Thunder are 19-0 SU and 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games vs the Sixers. That is the longest current win streak in the NBA between two teams.
- Philadelphia scores seven fewer points per game this season with Joel Embiid out of the lineup.
- The Sixers are holding teams to 31 percent from beyond the arc in February, which rates as the best mark in the NBA.
- The total has gone UNDER in eight of the 76ers’ last 11 games (avg. combined score: 228.55) and eight of the last 12 games in this matchup.
- The Thunder are 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS in their last eight games at home.
- Paul George has been ruled out for tonight's game.
My Best Bet for Sixers vs Thunder
UNDER 239
I think this total is set way too high. The Sixers’ offense will already be hampered without Joel Embiid but they still play decent defense to hold the Thunder down, especially without Paul George. The Sixers’ strength this month has been defending perimeter players beyond the arc and that’s where OKC has been getting the bulk of its points lately. I think the UNDER is the safe pick but if you don’t do totals, you can’t go wrong with the Thunder spread because they have dominated this matchup for over 10 years.
