Each the Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks come into Friday’s matchup after disappointing losses as double-digit house favorites.
The 76ers have dominated this matchup lately, significantly resulting from Joel Embiid’s greatness. He's averaging 28 factors, 10.8 rebounds and three.4 assists and is 4-1 in 5 profession video games in opposition to the Mavs.
Kristaps Porzingis’ knee damage stored him out of Wednesday’s loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, and the host Mavs seemingly will likely be shorthanded down low once more. For a Mavericks workforce that ranks nineteenth in opponent field-goal share on the rim (65.4), Porzingis’ absence ought to permit Embiid to proceed this dominant stretch that has catapulted him into pole place on the NBA MVP odds board.
The Mavericks are additionally coping with the lack of Tim Hardaway Jr., who's out with a fracture in his left foot, which suggests they’ll be with out two of their prime 4 scorers. Exterior of Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, the Mavs lack playmaking and rank sixteenth in Offensive Ranking (111.3).
Their offensive food plan is 3-point heavy — they take the seventh highest-frequency of 3-point area targets (39.5 p.c) whereas capturing the sixth-lowest share within the league (33.7 p.c). They’ll be going through a 76ers workforce that ranks ninth in Defensive Ranking (109.2) and opponent 3-point share (34.6).
The Sixers have a serious edge within the entrance court docket with Embiid, the higher offense (112.4 factors per 100 possessions, ninth within the NBA) and a protection able to slowing down the Mavericks’ perimeter assault. I just like the 76ers to tug off the win because the street underdog.
The play: 76ers, +1.5.
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