Two of the NBA’s best meet Thursday night as the 76ers take on the Warriors. The 76ers lead the all time series 165-150, but the Warriors have won 10 straight in the series dating back to 2013.
The 76ers won their last game on Tuesday in a 121-105 win over the Lakers in LA. Last Wednesday (1/23) they beat the Spurs 122-120 at home, and on Saturday (1/26) they lost 126-110 to the Nuggets in Denver.
Golden State won their last time out 132-100 over the Pacers in Indianapolis on Tuesday. Last Thursday (1/24) they beat the Wizards 126-118 on the road, and on Saturday (1/26) they beat the Celtics 115-111 in Boston.
On the season Philly is 24-27 ATS, 10-15 ATS on the road, and 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games. On the season Golden State is 23-26 ATS, 10-13-1 ATS at home, and 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.
Bovada has the Warriors as 9 point favourites with an O/U total of 240.5.
Philly averages 115.7 PPG, 47.4 RPG, 10.6 ORPG, 27.6 APG, 5.6 BPG, 7.6 SPG, and 15.6 TPG. As a team they shoot 47.3% from the field, 36.4% from 3 point range, and 76.7% from the free throw line. Defensively they hold teams to 112.1 PPG, 43.3 RPG, 45.2% shooting from the field, and 34.6% shooting from 3.
They are led by big man Joel Embiid, who averages 27.2 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, and 1.9 BPG while shooting 49% from the field, 31% from 3, and 80.1% from the free throw line. Jimmy Butler is a great #2 option, averaging 19 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, and 2.0 SPG while shooting 48.2/38.8/86.9. Ben Simmons is another leader who averages 16.7 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 0.8 BPG. J.J. Redick (18.4 PPG/2.8 APG/38.4% from 3), Landry Shamet (8.3 PPG/1.1 APG/40.4% from 3), Mike Muscala (7.6 PPG/4.3 RPG/34.7% from 3), T.J. McConnell (6.6 PPG/4.0 APG/1.2 SPG), and Corey Brewer (9 PPG/ 3.0 RPG/2.2 SPG) fill big roles as well.
Golden State leads the league in scoring at 119.1 PPG to go along with 46.8 RPG, 10.1 ORPG, 29.3 APG, 6.4 BPG, 7.4 SPG, and 14.2 TPG. As a team they shoot 49.1% from the field, 38.9% from 3 point range, and 82.1% from the free throw line. Defensively they hold opponents to 111.8 PPG, 43.2 RPG, 44.8% shooting from the field, and 35.0% shooting from 3.
They are led by a 3 headed attack, spearheaded by Stephen Curry’s 29.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.2 SPG while shooting 49.5/45.1/93.1. Kevin Durant averages 27.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 5.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 1.2 BPG while shooting 50.5/37.7/90.6. Klay Thompson puts up 21.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG and 37.9% shooting from 3. DeMarcus Cousins (15.2 PPG/7.0 RPG/3.6 APG/54.5% from 3), Quinn Cook (7.6 PPG/1.8 APG/41.2% from 3), Draymond Green (7.1 PPG/8.0 RPG/7.3 APG/1.6 SPG), and Kevon Looney (6.8 PPG/5.9 RPG/0.8 BPG) chip in big time as well.
Key Injuries
F Jonas Jerebko (personal) – out
F Draymond Green (rest ) – game time decision
This should be a must watch for any basketball fans, featuring star power across the board and 2 of the best offensive teams in the league. Philly going cross country to play in one of the hardest environments in the NBA on one days rest does not bode well, but those cannot be excuses if this 76er team wants to show they can continue to play with the best. The 6ers will need a big night from their 2 stars in Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid as well as continued hot shooting from their ancillary pieces to keep up with the Curry/Durant/Thompson trio, and DeMarcus Cousins poses a completely new issue for teams to deal with.
Golden State has been on an absolute tear lately, winning 10 straight games coming into this matchup and shooting almost 52% from the field as well as making an average of 15.3 three pointers per game in that time. Golden State has also had the advantage of having some huge scoring outbursts at different points in the game, essentially putting the game out of reach. Philly will make this a game, and go on a few runs of their own, but ultimately Golden State will use one of those outbursts in the 2nd half to handle the 76ers.
Final Pick: Warriors (-9)
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