Sixers vs. Nets Prediction and Odds: Back Nets in Kevin Durant's Return
By Peter Dewey
Kevin Durant is expected to return for the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, and that is just one of the reasons to back the Nets.
Kevin Durant appears poised to return for the Nets tomorrow night against Philadelphia since he is not mentioned at all on Brooklyn’s latest injury report. Kyrie Irving remains listed out in accordance with the city’s vaccine mandate.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 29, 2021
More NBA from me: https://t.co/LGN9cVpeGP
James Harden has had the hot hand for Brooklyn with K.D. out of the lineup, and the Nets are favored at home against Joel Embiid and company tonight.
The Sixers haven't looked great as of late, losing to the short-handed Atlanta Hawks and narrowly defeating a short-handed Toronto Raptors team their last time out.
Meanwhile, news broke that head coach Doc Rivers has now entered the league's health and safety protocol, via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers has entered the league’s Covid protocols, team source tells ESPN. Assistant Dan Burke will take over as acting coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 30, 2021
Here are the latest odds via WynnBET:
Sixers vs. Nets Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Sixers +5 (-110)
- Nets -5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Sixers: +170
- Nets: -210
Total:
- 220.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Sixers vs. Nets Prediction and Pick
On this morning’s episode of the Bet & Breakfast podcast, I discussed how I loved the Nets at -4 before this line moved to -5.
I still like the Nets at -5, as they are the better team in this matchup, especially with Durant returning, and may be too high powered for the Sixers to keep up.
Philly is 13th in offensive rating, 19th in defensive rating and last in the NBA in pace this season, while the Nets are 11th , fifth and eighth in those respective categories.
James Harden is turning a corner for the Nets as of late, and he and Durant are just too much for a Philly team that has suffered defensively without Ben Simmons. I think the Nets roll in this one and move to 3-0 against the Sixers on the season.
Pick: Nets -5 (-110)