Warriors vs 76ers Betting Odds: Shorthanded Teams Face Bleak Futures
The Struggling Warriors are Favored Over the Embiid-Less 76ers
Tight Betting Spread For Wanting Contenders
Is it too late to fork the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers’ title hopes? The former has a losing record and is riddled with injuries, while the latter will be without its MVP, superstar center Joel Embiid, for at least one month. The public does not know how to feel about these teams, hence why these Warriors vs 76ers betting lines are where they are, slightly giving Golden State the edge.
Golden State Warriors (22-25), Philadelphia 76ers (30-19)
Date, time:
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Streaming: Live Sports Stream
Injuries Whittle Down These Teams’ Defenses
The injuries on both Golden State and Philadelphia’s sides compromise the teams’ defenses. The total of 236.5 on the Warriors vs 76ers betting lines could go over, given the drop in defensive ratings. Golden State is only 20th in the NBA in defensive rating (117.1), while Philly is the worst (126.2) in its last six games.
“We had some shaky performances,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said last week. “Then we kind of got in a groove and had some good ones. We got a bunch of good road wins without him. We kind of knew we’ve got to be able to survive without him.”
Philadelphia has given up 119+ points in six of its last eight games. The team is just 8-12 when it gives up this much. And it won’t get easier as guards Nicolas Batum and De’Anthony Melton are also hurt from the NBA starting lineup. Forward Robert Covington, a ‘3-and-D’ specialist, is also sidelined.
The injuries have also hurt Philly’s offense, which is down to 114.2 in its last six games. This is only 20th in the NBA. The undermanned 76ers have gone 2-4 against the spread (ATS), with the totals alternating between ‘over’ and under.’
Golden State is managing its injuries a bit better. It is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games and the totals have gone over in 11 of its last 16. The Warriors are without a trio of guards led by 12-time All-Star Chris Paul. Swingman Andrew Wiggins is also on the injury report.
The Warriors’ last three wins were via low-scoring results. Opponents were held to 107 points, and the totals went under. And its last three losses were shootouts with opponents scoring 134+ points and totals all going ‘over.’
Golden State vs Philadelphia Will Be ‘Boom or Bust’
The Warriors have seemingly alternated between grinding out games or going back and forth in scoring contests. This makes NBA predictions today hard for this one. But one of the teams they “shut down” is the 76ers, albeit without newly-minted All-Star Tyrese Maxey. Embiid was hobbled by his injury and shot just 5-of-18 from the field for 14 points and eight turnovers.
This rematch will feel differently without Embiid and with Maxey. The latter is averaging 25.9 points and 6.4 assists on 45% shooting. He’s scored 30+ points 13 times, and Philadelphia is 9-4 when he does. Three of these four losses came against playoff-caliber teams.
Maxey will need to get going early to help Philadelphia against Golden State. He has had some off-shooting nights, and the team tanks when he does: just 5-10 when he shoots at 40% or lower. The team will now be readjusting to making him the focal point of the offense.
Philadelphia’s NBA playoffs odds are still almost the same. But it will struggle in these next few weeks as it figures things out without its best player. On the positive, Golden State may be the type of opponent Philadelphia needs to get its mojo back. It is just 3-3 when playing on the road versus the East.
Monitoring the live Warriors vs 76ers betting odds could be another way to approach this game. It will become apparent if we’re in for a barnburner or a defensive grind.
