We'll be treated to a potential NBA Finals preview on Saturday night at Staples Center, with the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers visiting the L.A. Clippers.
Philadelphia will look to earn another win at Staples after beating the Lakers on Thursday. Can they do it against an L.A. team in great form? Check out what we think in our best NBA betting free picks and predictions for 76ers vs. Clippers on Saturday, March 27 at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Clippers betting preview
Injuries
76ers: Joel Embiid C (Out).
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard SF (Questionable), Serge Ibaka PF (Out), Patrick Beverley PG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The 76ers are 9-0 ATS in the last 9 meetings vs. the Clippers. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Clippers.
NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonShortly before tipoff, the Clippers are 5.5-point favorites at PointsBet USA, after opening -4.5 and peaking at -6. "Sixty-three percent of bets and 60 percent of handle on Philadelphia," PointsBet's Wyatt Yearout said. The total shifted from 221 to 222 to 220.5 and is now 221, with 70 percent of bets/77 percent of cash on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the spread (ATS) pick
While this has the makings of a potential Finals preview, we could be missing the two co-stars from the show. Joel Embiid remains out with a knee injury that has sidelined him since mid-March, while Kawhi Leonard is questionable with a sore foot, which kept him out of the Clippers' win over the Spurs on Thursday (the second night of a back-to-back for L.A.).
Both of these contenders have been strong against the spread this season, with the Sixers 26-17-2 ATS and the Clippers at 26-20. Philadelphia is 4-0 SU and 3-0-1 ATS over its last four, while L.A. is 4-0 SU and ATS over its last four. So, despite Embiid's absence and Leonard's uncertain status, it shouldn't be surprising to see such a small number here.
The presence of Leonard could, of course, change things. But as it stands, we're happily taking the 76ers, with Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris continuing their excellent seasons even without Embiid in the middle of everything.
PREDICTION: 76ers +4.0 (-110)
Over/Under pick
Unsurprisingly, the 76ers' scoring has dimmed a bit in Embiid's absence, with the big man serving as the hub of everything Philadelphia does on both ends while posting career-high shooting and scoring averages. Nearly a third of Philadelphia's Unders on the season (23-22 O/U season-long) have come without Embiid in the lineup, which includes a 2-5 O/U run in the seven games he has missed with his current knee injury.
Though he has not had an extended absence recently and could suit up in this one, over 25 percent of the Clippers' Unders on the season (26-19-1 O/U) have come in the nine games Leonard has missed (4-5 O/U). With four Unders in Los Angeles' last six and Leonard, at best, likely to be slowed by a sore foot, we're siding with the Under in this one.
PREDICTION: Under 222.5 (-110)
First half prop pick
The 76ers are a Top-10 team in first-half O/U on the season, sitting at a solid 21-24 O/U. However, as evidenced, their offense is significantly less potent without Embiid in the lineup. Over their last 10 games, the 76ers' O/U mark in first halves is just 3-7.
Meanwhile, the Clippers are a league-worst 15-30-1 O/U in first halves this season. Between Philadelphia missing Embiid and L.A.'s traditionally low-scoring starts — regardless of Leonard's status — we like the first half Under to hit as well in this one.
PREDICTION: First half Under 112 (-115)
76ers vs Clippers betting card
- 76ers +4.0 (-110)
- Under 222.5 (-110)
- First half Under 112 (-115)
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