A potential NBA Finals preview will go down in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, with the Phoenix Suns continuing their tour through the Eastern Conference's elite against the 76ers.
Phoenix began the road trip with a one-point OT win over the Bucks. Can it stay hot in one of the NBA's toughest venues? Here are our best free NBA betting picks and predictions for Suns vs. 76ers on April 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
(Editor's Note: This preview was published prior to Wednesday afternoon's news that Joel Embiid and Seth Curry are also now listed as Questionable on the 76ers' injury report.)
Phoenix Suns at Philadelphia 76ers odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonPointsBet USA pegged Phoenix a slim 1.5-point road favorite overnight, the line dipped to -1 this morning, then this afternoon shot straight from -1 to -4 as Philadelphia's list of questionables grew for tonight's game (see below). As of 4:15 p.m. ET, the Suns are -3.5, with point-spread ticket count almost dead even and 66 percent of spread money on the 76ers. The total is down to 219.5 from a 221.5 opener, with 61 percent of tickets on the Over and 63 percent of money on the Under.
Check out the full line movement for this gamePhoenix Suns at Philadelphia 76ers betting preview
Injuries
Suns Abdel Nader SF (Out).
76ers: Joel Embiid C (Questionable), Seth Curry SG (Questionable), Tobias Harris SF (Out), Ben Simmons G (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 7-0 in the 76ers' last seven after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. 76ers.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Suns made their claim as the class of the Western Conference with an early April win over the Jazz, and that victory has been a part of a stretch that has seen them win 17 of 22 games since the All-Star break.
Phoenix has successfully combined the dynamism of an ascending star in Devin Booker with the hard-nosed play of two-way studs like Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges, all while taking on the identity of the Point God, Chris Paul. The Suns are as complete of a team as there is in the NBA and has proven to be a tough out all season long, regardless of opponent or venue.
Something similar can be said about the 76ers, who look ready to reach new heights with their long-standing core, with Joel Embiid leading the way and playing like the MVP candidate he has long been expected to be, while Ben Simmons puts together a worthy Defensive Player of the Year campaign and Tobias Harris filling in as an admirable tertiary star.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia, the latter two players may be unavailable on Wednesday, with Simmons expected to be a game-time decision with an illness and Harris questionable with knee soreness.
On balance, we would lean toward the Suns, who are a shining 18-7 on the road this year. With neither Simmons or Harris likely to be feeling 100 percent in what will be a hyper-intense game, we're comfortable taking Phoenix as the favorites.
PREDICTION: Suns -1 (-110)
Over/Under pick
Unsurprisingly, with both teams among the league's elite in net rating, the Suns and 76ers have been middle-of-the-road O/U teams on the season, with Phoenix 30-27 O/U and the 76ers 26-31. Both, however, have been on contrasting runs lately, with the Suns 7-3 O/U over their last 10 while Philadelphia is 2-8 O/U.
Though there is hardly reason for great concern, the 76ers' offense has slowed in recent weeks, with the team sliding back to 14th in offensive rating. While Embiid is at the heart of Philly's production, Simmons is elite at creating 3-point shots with his ability to get to the rim and then kick out to the perimeter and Harris is vital as the lead scorer when he plays with the bench.
If one, or both, of Embiid's running mates is slowed for this one, the 76ers' offense will struggle as a result.
Combine that factor with the superior offense in Phoenix being the road team, where it scores fewer points per game on worse shooting than when it is at home, and we are going Under in this one.
PREDICTION: Under 220.5 (-110)
Player prop pick
In Philadelphia and Phoenix's first meeting in 2021, Embiid put in a monster performance, scoring 35 points on 52 percent shooting in 36 minutes. Deandre Ayton, while improved, is still hardly a plus on the defensive end and is bullied by physical bigs like Embiid. The Suns' backup five, Dario Saric, is among the softest centers in the NBA and won't do much to help, either.
Embiid's points total is a solid Over play in most games. With a favorable matchup and perhaps an even bigger workload, with Simmons and Harris' status uncertain, expect JoJo to try and carry Philadelphia.
PREDICTION: Joel Embiid Over 29.5 Points (-130)
Suns vs 76ers betting card
- Suns -1 (-110)
- Under 220.5 (-110)
- Joel Embiid Over 29.5 Points (-130)
Picks made on 04/21/2021 at 08:59 a.m. ET.
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NBA Suns vs. 76ers picks, you could win $54.48 on a $10 bet?
Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on the NBA?
You can bet on NBA odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NBA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of NBA prop odds. Head over to our best sportsbooks for NBA betting in your area.
