To commence both teams’ season, the Philadelphia 76ers (0-0) head down south to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (0-0). The game is set to tip at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday and will be held at the Smoothie King Center. Below, we look at the 76ers at Pelicans odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Sadly, for fans, two of the biggest names in basketball won’t be playing in his one. G/F Ben Simmons was slapped with a one-game suspension Tuesday while F Zion Williamson will be out with an injury.
With that in mind, this matchup will still feature C Joel Embiid, an MVP candidate from a season ago, and F Brandon Ingram, a bonified star in his own right.
The Sixers, despite being on the road, will enter as favorites, finishing last season as a top-three team in the East. They barely missed the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the Trae Young-led Atlanta Hawks.
76ers at Pelicans odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: 76ers -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Pelicans +130 (bet $100 to win $130)
- Against the spread (ATS): 76ers -3.5 (-108) | Pelicans +3.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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76ers at Pelicans key injuries
76ers
- G Ben Simmons (suspended) out
- G Shake Milton (ankle/illness) out
Pelicans
- F Zion Williamson (foot) out
76ers at Pelicans odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 112, Pelicans 105
Money line
PASS on the money line as the Pelicans have too many wildcards to make it worthwhile for Sixers betters. Now, that’s really only on the money line. If you’re going to bet Philadelphia, take the points.
We’ll get more into this below.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the SIXERS -3.5 (-108) as the best value for a team-specific bet. The Sixers were 7-7 last season without Ben Simmons.
The three-time All-Star has been a major distraction, but that doesn’t seem to have bothered Embiid, who is coming off his best season in the league, much.
Embiid will be the best player on the court, and inserting Tyrese Maxey won’t be that big of a blow for Philadelphia. While I do like this Pelicans team, especially third-year G Nickeil Alexander-Walker, they won’t have the scoring or size without Williamson.
Having to deal with scorers like F Tobias Harris and G Seth Curry is easier said than done. Keeping pace with a deep Sixers team will be tough, even at home. I’d be the spread for the team with the game’s best player.
Also, the Pelicans were 2-9 without Williamson last season and only lost one by less than three.
This should be one where the Sixers win by a handful, and taking them to go over two is the better play, especially at this value.
Over/Under
BET the UNDER 225.5 (-108) as the best value on the total.
Despite both teams ranking in the top 15 in points per game last season, taking out one team’s more lethal scorer and the other team’s most dangerous passer, this game should slow up.
Ingram is great one-on-one but doesn’t play with great pace. With the Sixers more Embiid-centric without Simmons, his involvement should slow the game down.
With potentially some rust as well and some discontinuity without Simmons, the Under seems like the better move, almost strictly based on who isn’t going to be on the court for this one.
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