The Philadelphia 76ers (11-11) travel to State Farm Arena Friday to take on the Atlanta Hawks (12-10). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the 76ers vs. Hawks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
It’s been a tough ride for the Philadelphia 76ers so far this season. Their record has plummeted as C Joel Embiid — an MVP finalist a season ago — has been limited to just 12 games. Embiid is back to full strength but the Sixers are still just 1-2 since his return, losing both games by 1 point.
Philadelphia is 11-11 against the spread (ATS) while Atlanta comes in at 10-12 ATS.
Led by star G Trae Young, the Hawks are coming off a big-time road win over the Indiana Pacers. They’re without two key starters Friday but will still enter as home favorites.
76ers at Hawks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: 76ers +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Hawks -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): 76ers +1.5 (-115) | Hawks -1.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 215.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
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76ers at Hawks key injuries
76ers
- G Ben Simmons (out) personal
Hawks
- F De’Andre Hunter (wrist) out
- G Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) out
- F Cam Reddish (wrist) questionable
76ers at Hawks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 107, Hawks 104
Money line
“LEAN” to the 76ERS (+110) as the best bet. The Sixers were 3-7 without Embiid but are 8-4 with him in the lineup.
He’s the reason they finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference last season. Philadelphia was 2-1 in Atlanta during the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals last season.
These teams match up well, but given the impact of the rule changes, it should be easier for G Matisse Thybulle to slow down Young. His length should limit the star guard.
The Sixers are one of the more efficient teams in the NBA and have the league’s third-best turnover rate. The Hawks rank atop the league, making this game more than likely a slower-paced game.
This is really a coin flip game, but given the two key injuries for Atlanta and Philly’s defensive prowess, the Sixers should be able to come out on top.
Against the spread
PASS on the spread. While it seems Philly has played a couple of one-point games lately, they aren’t that common, and I’ll take the marginally better value on the money line.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 215.5 (-125) as the best bet in this game.
Both these teams don’t turn the ball over and when you couple that with how the Sixers should aim to take Young out of the game and make F John Collins beat them, the Under feels like the better play.
The Sixers play at a super slow pace with Embiid in the game, typically running their offense through his halfcourt dominance. That bodes well for them and their shooters but not for points as it typically runs the clock down.
Philadelphia is coming off a game at the Boston Celtics where neither side put up 90 points, and I think the Sixers and Hawks will struggle to put up points Friday, although it should still be a highly entertaining battle.
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