Since their time in Philadelphia that began in 1963, the 76ers have two world championships. They also have had some of the biggest names in the NBA wear their colors. Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Irving, and Allen Iverson have manned the 76ers historic marquee. Now it is the turn of Joel Embiid to be the headliner and star. The 76ers have long had an intense rivalry with the Boston Celtics. For many fans and gamblers, it’s astounding they haven’t won more titles.
Yet in this COVID-19 shortened season many handicappers see the Sixers as a dark horse. Increasingly they are seen as the best potential value with the NBA betting lines.
Following back to back 50+ win seasons the 76ers were a hot pick to contend with Milwaukee in the East. Injuries were slowing down Philadelphia before play stopped. No team could reap a greater benefit from the stoppage.
2020 Philadelphia 76ers Odds to Win
Odds to win NBA Championship: +2800
Odds to win Eastern Conference: +900
Record at Time of COVID-19 Suspension: 39-26 straight up, 28-33-4 against the spread, 34-30 over the total
Metric Rankings: 21st for scoring offense, 10th for field goal percentage, 14th for three-point field goal percentage, 23rd for free throw percentage, 11th for offensive rebounds, 6th for points allowed, 16th for field goal percentage allowed, 15th for three-point percentage allowed, 1st for defensive rebounds
Standing: 6th place in Eastern Conference, 14 games out of first place
Philadelphia 76ers 2020 NBA Restart Schedule
Saturday, August 1, 7 p.m. ET: Indiana Pacers
Monday, August 3, 8 p.m. ET: San Antonio Spurs
Wednesday, August 5, 4 p.m. ET, NBATV: Washington Wizards
Friday, August 7, 6:30 p.m. ET, TNT: Orlando Magic
Sunday, August 9, 6:30 p.m. ET, NBATV: Portland Trail Blazers
Tuesday, August 11, 4:30 p.m. ET: Phoenix Suns
Wednesday, August 12, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN: Toronto Raptors
Friday, August 14, TBD: Houston Rockets
Philadelphia 76ers 2019-20 Season Review
Cause by injuries to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons did the 76ers faulter in the weeks leading up to the play stoppage. With a winning record, they were still in the sportsbook red. Philadelphia was perking up just before games stopped. To show they covered four of their final six games. Defense remains the bedrock of the team. A lackluster offense should improve if Embiid and Simmons return at 100%.
Head Coach Brett Brown
Fashion the unique coaching path Brett Brown has taken to his current role. In most any other case a similar coach would have been fired by now. At the onset of his 76ers career, Brown went 19-63, 18-64, 10-72, and 28-54. Somehow Brown survived when nobody else would have. Then Joel Embiid arrived. Subsequently Brown got a heck of a lot “smarter.” Philadelphia has been a popular play with the NBA lines ever since.
Counter to those improved fortunes was calling for Brown’s head this year. Fans and gamblers became frustrated with the lack of progress. For all that the injuries to Embiid and Simmons were ignored in the hysteria. By reason of those specifics, Brown may have the last laugh. From this point, he will have a healthy and capable team.
Key Philadelphia 76ers Players
Namely, Joel Embiid is a native of Cameroon that played college ball at Kansas. He was the third overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. Embiid is a three-time NBA All-Star. Last year he broke out with 27.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. Embiid is considered by most to be the game’s best center.
Ben Simmons is a two-time NBA All-Star and a first overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft. Additionally, Simmons was the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year. Simmons was averaging 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. He is one of the most complete point guards in the Association.
Philadelphia 76ers Restart Betting Outlook
In this situation, we have what horse racing calls a “beaten favorite.” More emphatically the 76ers could be the surprise team of the restart. In fact, a run by Philadelphia would not be a surprise at all for many handicappers.
