76ers vs Jazz Picks and Predictions: Drummond is Double-Double Machine in Trip to Utah

Even without Ben Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers got off to a fantastic start this season, going 8-2 in their first 10 games. Then Joel Embiid tested positive for COVID-19 and the Sixers proceeded to lose their next four games.

Embiid will be out once again when Philly heads out to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz. But the Jazz have also hit a bit of a rough stretch going 1-4 SU/ATS in their last five games.

Can the Jazz cover a big number against the Embiid-less Sixers? Find out in our free picks and predictions for 76ers vs. Jazz on November 16.

76ers vs Jazz odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The Jazz opened this matchup as 8.5-point home favorites and have been bet up to -10. Meanwhile, the total hit the board at 218 with the Under seeing the early money moving the number to 216. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

76ers vs Jazz predictions

• Prediction: 76ers +10 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 216 (-110)
• Best bet: Andre Drummond Double-Double (-130)

Predictions made on 11/16/2021 at 12:26 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

76ers vs Jazz game info

• Location: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
• Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2021
• Tip-off: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT

76ers vs Jazz betting preview

Injuries

76ers: Joel Embiid C (Out), Danny Green SG (Out), Matisse Thybulle SF (Out).
Jazz: Rudy Gay SF (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last five games as a favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Jazz.

76ers vs Jazz picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

Yes, the Philadelphia 76ers were cruising prior to Joel Embiid’s positive COVID test, going 8-2 and leading the NBA in offensive rating. While they still technically do, the Sixers offense has obviously lost some of its punch without Embiid.

Philly is 0-4 SU and ATS in its four games without Embiid, scoring 106.8 points per game. That’s down from 111.1 points over its first 10 games. But that doesn't mean the  Sixers have just rolled over. They've been surprisingly scrappy, never losing a game by more than 10 points over that stretch.

Now, they go against a Utah team in its own slide. The Jazz are 1-4 SU/ATS in their last five games for a couple reasons. One, the Jazz have been ice-cold from 3-point range, shooting just 30.2 from deep over that stretch. And two, this Utah defense has not been as stout as we're used to, ranking a mediocre 11th in defensive rating. 

Even without Embiid, the Sixers are a well-coached team, and they have Andre Drummond to battle Rudy Gobert in the paint. Utah is also just 1-4 ATS in its last five games when favored by 9.5 or more points this season, which includes outright losses to the Pacers and Magic. We’ll lean towards the underdogs in this one.

Prediction: 76ers +10 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

When it comes to the total, it’s no surprise the Under has seen the early action in this matchup. 

As noted, the Sixers' scoring is down without Embiid, and Philly lacks the inside-out game that makes the team so dangerous without he All-Star big. As a result, the team ranks 26th in field-goal percentage over the last four games, which includes shooting 35.7 percent from 3-point range. On top of that, the 76ers play at the slowest tempo in the NBA, ranking dead last in pace.

Meanwhile, the Jazz are averaging just 106 points over the last five games, down from their season average of 110.2. With the Jazz being ice-cold from beyond the arc, and the Sixers having a few bodies to battle on the inside, it could be tough sledding for Utah. It doesn’t hurt that the Jazz rank 21st in pace.

This game feels like it will land below the number.

Prediction: Under 216 (-110)

Best bet

Andre Drummond has been a big part of what has kept the 76ers competitive during Embiid’s absence. Drummond has a double-double in three of the four games with Embiid on the shelf, and is averaging 11.5 points and 18.3 rebounds per game over that stretch.

While you may think that a matchup with the Jazz could limit Drummond’s offensive production, Utah has surprisingly had trouble on the inside this season. The Jazz rank 20th in opponent’s points in the paint this season. Drummond recording another double-double looks like a great bet in this one.

Pick: Andre Drummond Double-Double (-130)

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