San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview
Where: Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
When: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 – 7:00 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (-11) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (+11); total: 208.5 – view all NBA lines
NBA News & Predictions
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- 2017 NBA Draft Sleepers
- 2017-18 NBA Championship Odds Update
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs (39-11)
The Spurs didn’t start their eight-game road trip on a good note, as they were dominated by the Memphis Grizzlies this past Monday, 89-74. It was their season-low in points and it snapped a three-game winning streak.
They should be fine moving forward, though. The team is still in the top five in offensive and defensive efficiency, as well as points allowed (98.9 PPG).
Their scoring is slightly lower in ranking (107.6 PPG, eighth overall), but it’s still better than almost everyone in the league. Also, with the talent of Kawhi Leonard (25.3 PPG) and LaMarcus Aldridge (17.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG), and the unpredictable scheme of coach Gregg Poppovich, which allows every guy on the roster to suddenly have a big day points-wise, the Spurs are easily one of the most dangerous offenses today.
Against the Sixers, who they just handily beat this past Thursday, 102-86, despite only shooting 42.7 percent from the floor, we can expect Leonard and company to cruise once again. “The Claw” should have a fantasy-friendly line, but his running partner, Aldridge, may have a challenging day should Joel Embiid take the court.
The Spurs have beaten the Sixers at Wells Fargo Center five straight times (3-2 ATS).
Betting on the Philadelphia 76ers (18-32)
Philly will enter the contest as losers of three straight. They got edged out by the rising Heat on Saturday, 105-102, as the Heat shot 58.5 percent from the field and had six players scored in double digits.
With the Sixers missing Joel Embiid in eight of their last nine games, the team has cooled off from their recent hot streak, where they went 8-2 in a 10-game stretch. They are now just 3-6 since January 21st (5-4 ATS).
Embiid, as you may know by now, is touted as the next great big man of the NBA, and he’s continuing to prove that he can when he’s on, averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in just 25.4 minutes of action.
He will need to be available Wednesday night if they want to get some against the Spurs. In the two team’s aforementioned recent matchup, Ersan Ilyasova (15.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG) was the only bright spot in the Sixers’ stagnant play, as he had 25 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals – Philly is currently dead-last in offensive efficiency and they proved it in the game by shooting a season-worst 34.1 percent from the field.
Writer’s Prediction
The Spurs (-11) win, 108-95.
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