The Philadelphia 76ers are home for the final regular-season game against the Brooklyn Nets, and a lot can happen to their playoff seeding just off today’s games. The Sixers are riding a seven-game winning streak to end the season, and the Nets have been 6-4 over their last ten and are coming off a loss to the Knicks on Friday night.
Sixers game information
Who: Brooklyn Nets (32-49) at Philadelphia 76ers (46-35)
When: 1:00 pm EST
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA League Pass
Sixers vs Nets betting information
Spread: Sixers -15.5 | Nets +15.5
Moneyline: Sixers -1350 | Nets +800
Total: Over/Under 215
Latest on the Sixers
The Sixers are home on Sunday afternoon to take on the Brooklyn Nets with their playoff life up in the air as the team, along with the Pacers and Magic, all play this afternoon, looking to sure up their place in the standings. The Sixers need to win in order to assure themselves of a chance to move as far up as 6th place in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers play the Hawks, who are assured of their spot in the play-in tournaments, while the Magic take on the Bucks, who need to win today in order to remain in 2nd place in the conference.
The Sixers should be mostly healthy to end the season as Embiid had an injury scare in the game against the Magic on Friday night, was able to return to the game, and looks good to go on Sunday. DeAnthony Melton is questionable as he’s recently returned from his back injury but is expected to play. The Sixers need all hands on deck for the season final, and against a Nets team that’s currently in 11th place in the conference, you would think that it won’t be a hard game to win.
What the Sixers need to do is to utilize the game, not only to improve their chances of avoiding the play-in tournament but to get Embiid some more game minutes as he’s getting himself back into shape for the playoffs. Since returning to the lineup Embiid is averaging 30.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists while shooting 48.1%, not from the field but on his three-point attempts. This is the Embiid that the Sixers have needed, and the rest of the league has feared.
Latest on the Nets
The Nets have been beaten up by themselves this season as the team had endured lengthy injuries to a few different players. While Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges will be playing the team will be missing Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith, Ben Simmons, Cam Johnson, and Dennis Smith Jr. While the team wasn’t expected to do much this season, the injuries and uncertainty have not helped at all. There’s only so much that Thomas and Bridges can do.
On Sunday, the Nets will be looking to finish the season on a high note by beating the Sixers. This would ensure the Sixers a spot in the playoffs, making their road to a championship just a bit harder. Since Embiid’s return, they have the chance to play spoiler in a great story. Is it likely? Not really, as the team just doesn’t have the weapons or depth to compete with the Sixers.
What to watch for today
The Sixers need this win, along with some help from the Hawks and Bucks, to give themselves a slightly easier road throughout the playoffs. With the team’s health at its best since late November, the Sixers are the team that no one, including the Boston Celtics, wants to play in the playoffs. For the Sixers, they’re looking at a team that features the most dominant player in the league in Joel Embiid and one of its breakout stars in guard Tyrese Maxey.
While the Sixers have made it through the absence of Embiid, a less heralded return to the lineup happened in the past week as DeAnthony Melton has returned from the back injury that had kept him out for the last few months. Having Melton on the floor gives the Sixers a point guard who can play on the first and second units and contribute while on the floor with his scoring and passing, all while playing very good defense. Melton’s return, while not as hyped as the return of Embiid, should be a huge bonus for the Sixers.
With Melton returning, one would assume that he would return to his starting spot but the back injury and Kyle Lowry have allowed him to return in a reserve role that could benefit the team more than they anticipated. Lowry has settled into the starting role and, at 38 years old, is seeing some rejuvenated life as he’s playing in front of his hometown fans. The combination of Lowry and Melton is one that is going to be huge for the Sixers in the playoffs.
The Sixers will be looking to put the Nets away early and keep their foot on the gas throughout the game so that they’re able to rest Embiid later in the game. Paul Reed has shown that he’s a valuable piece of the Sixers puzzle and can be counted on, so Embiid shouldn’t have to be on the floor for the whole game.
In addition, Cam Payne, DeAnthony Melton, Tobias Harris, and Buddy Hield will all see some quality minutes today, with Ricky Council IV being on the floor to show off after having signed a new deal with the Sixers on Saturday to keep him in the uniform for the next few seasons and have him eligible for the playoffs. It will be a big show for the fans as they end the regular season and look forward to a long playoff run.
Prediction
Sixers 125 – Nets 103
