Sixers Big Favorites to Take 2-0 Series Lead over Wizards

Another high-scoring affair is expected tonight as Philadelphia (50-23 SU, 38-31-4 ATS) looks to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Wizards (35-40, 43-31-1). Washington has lost its last 10 visits to Wells Fargo Center and opened as a 7.5-point underdog.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Oddsmakers opened Philly as a 7.5-point favorite for Game 2, half a point less than what the Sixers were favored by in Sunday’s opener. The total has been adjusted 3 points higher after Game 1 sailed OVER the total by 15.5 points.

Washington News & Notes

Led by Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook, the Wizards haven’t had any trouble scoring points this season. That was the case once again Sunday as Washington eclipsed the 115-point plateau for the 22nd time in its last 23 outings, paced by a 33-point outing from Beal. Westbrook added 16 points and 14 assists for the Wizards, who shot 56 percent from the field on the afternoon.

However, Washington’s 30th-ranked defense is going to have to be a lot better if the Wiz are going to have a chance at the upset, particularly from three of their youngsters who are making their postseason debuts. Rui Hachimura had a tough time on the perimeter against Tobias Harris, who scored a game-high 37 points, while Daniel Gafford and Alex Len had issues defending Joel Embiid in the paint. Embiid took 13 free throws in the contest as Philadelphia enjoyed a 33-15 disparity at the charity stripe.

Still, the game was there for the taking for Washington, at least before Philadelphia dialed up its defense in the fourth to hold the Wizards without a field goal for nearly four minutes and hound Beal into six turnovers.

“We didn’t play great at all. I think we still got a couple levels we can tap into,” Beal told the Washington Post. The Wizards have been great lately at doing just that when coming off a loss, going 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight following a SU defeat.

Philadelphia News & Notes

If there were any doubts about Harris’ ability to deliver in the playoffs, he quickly put them to rest in the series opener. Harris, who struggled badly with his shot in last year’s Round 1 sweep at the hands of the Celtics, hit six of his first eight shots from the field, scored 12 of Philly’s first 27 points and had 28 in the Sportsbook half before finishing with 37, a career postseason high.

Embiid got into early foul trouble but still delivered 30 points in 29 minutes of floor time, while Ben Simmons joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only Sixers to ever record 15 assists and 15 rebounds in a postseason game.

However, Simmons scored just three field goals for six points and missed all six of his free-throw attempts, including four in the fourth quarter with the game still in doubt. Simmons shot just 61.3 percent from the foul line this season and the Wizards might consider intentionally fouling him Tuesday until he shows some improvement from the stripe.

Betting Pick: OVER 230.5

Washington has gone UNDER the total just three times in its last 13 as an underdog and should score enough to send this one OVER for the second time in the series.