Sixers Big Favorites to Close Out Series vs Host Wizards

The Philadelphia 76ers are discovering first-hand why finishing first in the Eastern Conference has immediate benefits as they look to wrap up a first-round sweep of the Wizards in Washington. The 76ers (52-23 SU, 40-31-4 ATS) have rolled to a pair of one-sided wins to take control of the series – and are expected to complete the sweep Monday against the Wizards (35-42 SU, 43-33-1 ATS).

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Philadelphia opened the betting cycle as a 7.5-point favorite and the line has since shifted to -8.5 in most spots, with the odd -8 also available. The total has shifted down between a half and full point after Sportsbook at 231.

Philadelphia News & Notes

While the second-seeded Brooklyn Nets deal with a troublesome Boston Celtics club in Round 1, the Sixers are all smiles as they enter Monday having won the first three games of the best-of-seven set by an average of 20.3 points. Offense has been no problem at all for Philadelphia, which has scored at least 120 points in all three games and is shooting 54.4 percent in the series.

While Joel Embiid has been predictably difficult for the Wizards to contain, it can be argued that Ben Simmons has actually been the better player to this point in the series. Simmons has done it all so far, averaging 14.0 points, 10.7 assists and 9.7 rebounds while shooting 61.8 percent from the field. He has also committed just six turnovers through the first three games.

Washington News & Notes

The Wizards have officially slipped into “happy to be here” status as they look to send this series back to Philadelphia for Game 5. Nothing has worked defensively against the deep and talented 76ers, while the Washington offense has produced next to nothing outside of what Bradley Beal (30.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.0 apg) and Russell Westbrook (17.3 ppg, 11.7 apg, 7.7 rpg) have contributed.

The Wizards have been particularly dreadful both from beyond the arc and from the free-throw line. Washington is connecting on just 25.7 percent of its three-point attempts through three games, with Beal (3-for-20) the biggest offender by far. The Wizards are also shooting a meager 71.4 percent from the foul line, after connecting at a 76.9 percent clip during the regular season.

Betting Pick: 76ers -8.5 (-110)

With Beal and Westbrook the only reliable offensive options, it’s difficult to see the Wizards keeping this one close against a Sixers team that was able to give its star players plenty of rest over the previous two games.