76ers vs Suns Picks and Predictions: Phoenix Exposes Embiid and Sixers

The Phoenix Suns will be looking for their eighth win in a row when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. The Sixers are similarly playing well coming into this game, as they have won three in a row and five of their last six. 

Which of these teams will stay hot with a statement win at the Footprint Center? Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for 76ers vs. Suns. 

76ers vs Suns odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

When this line first became available, the Suns were laying 5 in this home game against the Sixers. That number has mostly stayed the same, but there is one sportsbook that has it at 4.5. Meanwhile, the total has mostly stayed still at 229 since opening, but one book has it at 228.5 while another has it as 229.5.  

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 Suns predictions

• Prediction: Suns -4.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 228.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Bridges Over 15.5 pts (-108)

Predictions made on 3/27/2022 at 2:01 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

76ers vs Suns game info

• Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
• Date: Sunday, March 27, 2022
• Tip-off: 6:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NBCS-PHI, Bally Sports

76ers vs Suns betting preview

Key injuries

76ers: Jaden Springer G (Questionable).
Suns: Cameron Johnson F (Questionable), Frank Kaminsky C (Out) Dario Saric F (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Suns are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Suns.

76ers vs Suns picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

Not only has Phoenix won each of its last seven games, but the team now has Chris Paul back in the lineup. In his first game back with the team, Paul had 17 points and 13 assists in a win over the Denver Nuggets. And perhaps more importantly, his presence helped Devin Booker go off for 49 points and 10 assists.

After weeks of being the focal point of opposing teams’ game plans — and still lighting it up — Booker was free with his running mate on the floor. Phoenix has already accomplished most of its regular-season goals, but maintaining momentum and chemistry heading into the playoffs is still important to this squad. 

Considering the history between Paul and new Sixers star James Harden, you should expect the Suns to take this game pretty seriously. Also, given the fact that Phoenix plays some of the best team basketball in the league, this isn’t exactly a great matchup for a Philadelphia team that is still trying to find the best way to play with Harden.

That won’t completely impede the Sixers from putting up a lot of points in this game, but it Is something to keep an eye on when also considering the fact that the Suns are third in the league in defensive rating this year. This Phoenix team could really give the 76ers' offense some problems in key moments, which is part of the reason to like the home team here. 

Look for the Suns to put Mikal Bridges on Harden for a decent portion of this game. Bridges is a Defensive Player of the Year betting favorite, so he should be able to use his length and remarkable instincts to make things tough on Harden.

Also, Deandre Ayton is one of the better defenders at the center position, so he could do a decent job of slowing down Joel Embiid. It’s not possible to completely shut him down, but he should be able to make Embiid work for his buckets and make life hell down low.

Offensively, Phoenix has one of the most diverse pick-and-roll attacks in the league. Philadelphia certainly has some good defenders in its rotation but also has some liabilities as well.

Look for the Suns to target those guys, like Harden, rather often here. That will make it very tough on the Sixers to get stops, which is why it wouldn’t be surprising if this game gets out of hand. 

Prediction: Suns -4.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

With the way the Suns are playing offensively right now, it’s just hard not to continue riding the Over in their games. Phoenix is coming off of a 140-point performance against Denver last game, and the team has now had at least 125 in each of its last seven contests.

This recent stretch has seen it playing some of the best offensive basketball of any team this year, and it now faces a Sixers squad that is averaging 124 points per game over their last two contests. 

The Over is also 4-0 in the last four games that Philadelphia has played against teams with winning records, and  7-2 in the last nine in which the Sixers are coming off of an against-the-spread win. If that’s not enough, the Over is 13-3 in Phoenix’s last 16 home games against teams with winning road records. 

Prediction: Over 228.5 (-110)

Best bet

With Paul out of the lineup, the Suns were able to get some other guys more involved in the offense. One of the players that really took advantage of that was Bridges, and that confidence and aggression carried over into Paul’s return.

Bridges had 22 points in the win over Denver on Thursday, marking the third time in five games in which he reached the 20-point mark. Bridges has also scored at least 16 points in eight of his last nine games, and he should really continue to factor into this offense in a big way. 

Not only is he a 37.5% shooter from the outside, but the 25-year-old is also a great cutter and improving mid-range shooter. Against a defense that will be keying in on Booker and Paul, there should be a lot of opportunities for him to score.

There’s a reason Bridges had 23 points when these teams met in Philadelphia in February, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he had another big game here. 

Pick: Mikal Bridges Over 15.5 points (-108)

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