With playoff seeding up for grabs in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers look to bounce back from a tough loss to the Hawks when they head to the land of Disney to face the Orlando Magic. The Magic are one game out of a playoff spot in the East and have won four games in a row while going 9-1 SU in their last 10 games at home.
The Sixers opened as 2-point favorites with a total of 219.5.
STANDOUT STATS
- In seven games since Joel Embiid returned to the lineup, the Sixers are averaging 118.3 points per game (ranked third in that span) despite not ranking in the top 10 in field-goal or three-point percentage. The big man has helped the Sixers to lead the NBA in rebounds per game in that stretch while having a +9.2 rebound differential. They’ve also gone 6-1 SU.
- The 76ers are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games vs teams with losing records and 6-1 SU in their last seven games since Embiid came back from injury.
- The Magic have won four games in a row and are 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games. In those 10 home games, they only played two teams with winning records in Golden State and Brooklyn (both wins). In their last six wins at home, they have a winning margin of 13 points per game.
- Orlando’s defense has been its calling card all season and ranks eighth in points allowed per home game while limiting teams to 29.8 three-point attempts per game (ranked sixth).
- The OVER may be a decent bet in this matchup as it has hit in the Sixers’ last five games (avg. combined score: 242.6) while the OVER has also hit in nine of the last 12 games in this matchup (avg. combined score: 222.6).
My Best Bet for Sixers vs Magic
Sixers -2
This one feels like a lock. I want to give credit to Orlando and the resurgence it’s had on defense this season but on paper, they look outmatched vs the Sixers. The Magic’s recent win streak feels especially hollow when you consider they’ve beaten the Cavs, Hawks, Pelicans and Grizzlies, who are among the worst teams in the NBA record-wise.
When the Sixers hosted the Magic without Embiid back on March 5, the Sixers won by eight and led the entire game. Sometimes bettors will look at this as a trap line but I see this as a gift from oddsmakers. Don’t overthink it – back Philly tonight.
