Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview

A pair of Atlantic Division rivals are set to square off in Philadelphia on Saturday as the 76ers host the Brooklyn Nets. Both teams are loaded with talent, and this game has the potential to be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Brooklyn brings a 14-10 record into this game, but they have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA of late. The Nets did suffer a six-point loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday, and they have some questions entering this game.

Philadelphia leads the Atlantic Division with a 16-7 record, and they have looked terrific under new head coach Doc Rivers. The Sixers have won seven of their past nine games, and they have been terrific on their home floor. 

The Philadelphia 76ers are 2.5-point favorites over the Brooklyn Nets in this Eastern Conference showdown. 

Nets Can Really Score

The Brooklyn Nets are leading the NBA with 122 points per game, and they feature three of the top 10 players in the NBA. Brooklyn is giving up 118 points per game, and that does not leave much margin for air with the offense. 

Kevin Durant is leading the Nets with 29.5 points per game, but he might not be available in this game after being removed from the floor on Friday night. If Durant is unable to go, Kyrie Irving and James Harden will have to pick up the slack.

Irving and Durant have combined for more than 50 points per game, and they can both really shoot it. Brooklyn doesn’t have a ton of bench options, but this team has a terrific starting lineup. 

Sixers Must Defend

The Philadelphia 76ers are a solid offensive team in their own right, but this game will be won or lost on the defensive end of the floor. Philadelphia is giving up just 110 points per game, and they will need to play that same level of defense to stay in this game. 

Center Joel Embiid has carried the 76ers on offense this season, and he has arguably been the MVP of the league so far this season. Embiid leads the team with 29.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, and the Nets don’t have anyone to match up with him.

Philadelphia is also a very deep team, and Doc Rivers has gotten some terrific play from his bench. If the 76ers are shooting the ball well from deep, then they are nearly impossible to beat, especially when backed up by a fantastic second squad that can step in and give the starting squad a boost at any time. 

Philadelphia Punishes Brooklyn 

The Philadelphia 76ers have been dominant at home this season, and it hasn’t mattered the opponent. The fact that Brooklyn could be without Durant in this game gives them an even bigger edge. 

This is going to be a high-scoring affair, but the 76ers will be able to get stops when they need to based on their strength at both ends of the floor. Philadelphia will run away with this game late as they beat their Atlantic Division rivals.

Bet the Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night. 

Keep up to date with the latest basketball news coverage and betting picks at the Dunkel Index.