basketball | Tuesday, December 27, 2022 1:18 PM

Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers Best Bet: Philly Set To Cover As Favourites

Sam Cox

Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers Best Bet: Tuesday, December 27th

The 20-12 Philadelphia 76ers are 4.5-point favourites over the 13-21 Washington Wizards for their December 27th matchup in the capital. Philadelphia is coming off a Christmas Day win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, while the Wizards have enjoyed a few days off since beating the Sacramento Kings on the 23rd.

Tyrese Maxey, who is expected to return on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans, is the only Sixer featuring on the injury report. Washington has missed several players through injury this season, but they have a relatively clean bill of health with Deni Avdija being questionable their only concern.

Since racing out the gates, Washington has gone an abysmal 3-14. Philadelphia’s season has been one of stark contrast, going 15-5 after a slow start, including eight wins on the bounce. James Harden is healthy, Joel Embiid is dominating, and Doc Rivers is getting high-level play from the rest of his roster.

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Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers Preview
Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers Best Bet

Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers Preview

Wed, Dec 28. 00:10 (UK time)

Embiid has climbed to become the league’s scoring leader. He has averaged 34 per contest over the last 15. Harden might be embroiled in rumours about his future (again), but the former MVP is putting his teammates in position to succeed. Only four teams shoot more corner threes than the Sixers, and the two-man game between Harden and Embiid remains effectively unguardable.

On the defensive end, Philly has been halting teams at will. Only the Cavaliers and Grizzlies have a better defensive rating over the last 15. Washington’s statistics are better than their record, having lost a lot of relatively close games, but they seldom shoot threes or get to the rim on offence. The Sixers defence is happy to concede mid-range looks, and with Embiid controlling the paint, there is little chance the Wiz get many shots at the rim here.

Washington faces a real mathematical disadvantage in this game. They are well-below league average when it comes to drawing fouls. Philadelphia lives at the line through Embiid and Harden. The Sixers shoot far more threes and has seen Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker, De’Anthony Melton, Georges Niang and Shake Milton drain them at a good rate.

Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers Best Bet

Of teams to be favoured more than once, no one has covered more frequently than the 76ers. Washington is an ugly 5-9-1 against the spread at home, which is the third-worst mark in the Association.

These teams are further apart than their season-long records indicate. Yes, the Sixers are only 6-7 straight up on the road, but they enter this game following an impressive come-from-behind win over the Knicks on Christmas Day. Back Philly to extend their winning streak easily.