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Kevin Durant vs. Joel Embiid: Who is The Better Bet for a Double-Double?

By Ben Heisler

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will match up for a possible MVP battle when they travel to Brooklyn to face Kevin Durant and the Nets.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will match up for a possible MVP battle when they travel to Brooklyn to face Kevin Durant and the Nets. / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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With several of his teammates out for tonight's matchup due to placement in the NBA's health and safety protocol, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant will carry the load once again when they welcome Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers to town.

The short-handed Nets are 1-point favorites despite being up six games in the loss column from the Sixers, but all eyes will be on two of the top NBA MVP candidates not named Steph Curry.

Here's where they both currently stand over at WynnBET Sportsbook. Note that Embiid has missed 11 games this year due to being in the NBA's COVID protocol, along with two other DNPs.

  • Kevin Durant: +275
  • Joel Embiid: +2500

With a tight game expected and a projected total of 216, WynnBET is offering prop bet odds on whether each player will get a double-double. Let's evaluate each player and see if the odds are in the bettor's favor.

Kevin Durant Odds to Get a Double Double (YES: +145 | NO: -200)

When will the Slim Reaper hit a wall? Since November 17th, Durant has averaged more than 40 minutes per game for Brooklyn, scoring 30.5 points-per-game, grabbing 7.3 boards and dishing out 6.8 assists. He missed two games in that stretch, inactive vs. Orlando and at Houston, but the Nets have gone 10-2 since, going 1-1 in the games he didn't play.

Meanwhile, Durant with the extra minutes has seen both his rebounding and assist numbers climb substantially, including a triple-double over the Toronto Raptors back on December 14th. Despite him going above 10 rebounds in three of his last six games, he's also had to play a minimum of 38 minutes in all of them, and now has to face a Sixers team that's dead last in the NBA in pace.

I just don't think there's enough chances for Durant, especially knowing that without several key teammates, he'll have to focus on getting buckets to keep up on the scoreboard.

PICK: NO -200

Joel Embiid Odds to Get a Double Double (YES: +135 | NO: -190)

Embiid, despite averaging 11 rebounds per game has actually not had a double double in three of his last four games. In his most recent performance last night vs. the Heat, Embiid grabbed 14 boards along with 17 points in the Sixers' loss to Miami.

He's also only played in two games on back-to-backs this season, averaging 9 rebounds per game in those matchups.

With Brooklyn shorthanded and a tight game expected, I still expect Embiid to get his regular rotation minutes and taking advantage of a size discrepancy in the paint.

I like the plus-odds for Embiid tonight and will be backing this number over at WynnBET .

PICK: YES +135

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