East-Leading 76ers Seek Revenge Against Blazers

Philadelphia (18-7 SU, 14-10-1 ATS) has won six of its last seven games to remain atop the Eastern Conference standings. However, the one loss was a 121-105 drubbing last week at the hands of the Trail Blazers (13-10, 11-12), who are 3-1 SU in their last four. The Sixers opened as 5-point road favorites.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The 76ers were 10-point chalk when these teams met last Thursday in Philadelphia, although the Trail Blazers were without Damian Lillard in that contest. Philly hasn’t been favored in Portland since 2005, losing nine of the last 11 meetings as the visitor.

Philadelphia News & Notes

The Sixers dialed up their defense down the stretch to rally for a 119-111 win Tuesday in Sacramento, improving to 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven games. Philly gave up 71 points in the Sportsbook half but then allowed just 20 points in each of the final two quarters as Sacramento missed 19 of its 22 three-point attempts after halftime.

After scoring at least 33 points in seven of his previous eight games, Joel Embiid had a relatively quiet night offensively against the Kings, scoring 25 points on 15 field-goal attempts. However, the big center posted a season-high 17 rebounds to help Philadelphia enjoy a 59-39 advantage on the glass.

Seth Curry enjoyed his best performance since testing positive for COVID-19 in early January, scoring 22 points and knocking down four of his six three-point attempts. Tobias Harris also scored 22 and Furkan Korkmaz was 5-for-7 off the bench for 13 points. Korkmaz could see an increased role Thursday if Shake Milton isn’t able to suit up after rolling his ankle in the fourth quarter against Sacramento.

Portland News & Notes

Lillard missed last week’s meeting with an abdominal strain, but he’s shown little effects from the injury in two games since. Lillard poured in 36 points in just 33 minutes Tuesday against Orlando, cracking the 30-point plateau for the seventh time in his last 10 outings.

Carmelo Anthony added 23 points and Gary Trent contributed 15 points and a team-high six assists to help Portland win for the third time in its last four games. The Blazers allowed a season-low 97 points to the Magic and have gone UNDER in their last two games after eclipsing the total in seven of their previous eight.

Small forward Nassir Little is listed as questionable to return from a left knee sprain that has sidelined him for Portland’s last four games. The Trail Blazers also remain without star guard C.J. McCollum and center Jusuf Nurkic.

Betting Pick: 76ers -5.5

Philly finally seems to have figured out how to win on the road and won’t take the Trail Blazers lightly this time.