76ers vs Trail Blazers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: No Embiid, No Problem For Sixers

The nightcap of Monday’s NBA schedule features the Philadelphia 76ers visiting the Portland Trail Blazers. Those coming to watch Joel Embiid, who leads the NBA MVP odds, play in the Pacific Northwest will be disappointed, as the 76ers big man will miss his second straight game.

The NBA odds sure seem to think the Sixers don't need him tonight as they are close to double-digit favorites against a Blazers team that still seems allergic to getting buckets. And even without Embiid, it won’t get any easier tonight against a Philly team that is sneaky good at the defensive end of the floor.
 
Does Portland have any value as a home underdog with Embiid sidelined? I break down this matchup and bring you the best bet, plus a same-game parlay, in my NBA picks and predictions for 76ers vs. Trail Blazers.

76ers vs Trail Blazers odds

76ers vs Trail Blazers predictions

Jokes about not wanting to face Nikola Jokic aside, Joel Emibiid is the favorite to win his second consecutive NBA MVP Award for a reason. Embiid has led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 29-15 record, good for third place in the Eastern Conference. 

The Sixers big man is thriving in his first season with Nick Nurse as his head coach, averaging an absurd NBA-leading 36 points while adding 11.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Unfortunately, after missing tonight's game he can only miss a handful more before he becomes ineligible to win MVP.

Looking at this game as a standalone, they probably don't need him.

Even without Embiid, Philly is a 9.5-point favorite tonight. While the team is generally known for Embiid and its offense, the 76ers are also sneaky good at the defensive end of the floor. I'm betting that the defense carries them without their big man tonight.

Philadelphia ranks sixth in both defensive rating and opponent effective field goal percentage. The Sixers also lead the NBA in steals per game. Now, Embiid contributes to that but I think they'll make do in this matchup against a Portland Trail Blazers team that is arguably the worst in the Association when it comes to getting buckets.

Everyone knew the Trail Blazers rebuild was going to be rough after the team moved on from Damian Lillard, but I’m not sure if they realized it would be this bad. Unfortunately, young stars Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson have not shot the ball well, and while pieces like Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant are fine, they aren’t carrying a team offensively.

That’s putting it nicely. The Blazers rank dead last in the NBA when it comes to offensive rating and eFG%, and next-to-last in scoring offense, putting up just 107.8 points per game. It’s hard to imagine, but that number has dropped even lower this month, with Portland putting up just 104.5 points per game over 15 games in January.

The Blazers have scored 100 points or fewer 15 times this season. That’s the most in the NBA. Their team total tonight against the 76ers is 106.5, they’ve played below that number nine times in 15 games this month, including each of the last two where they put up 96 against the Chicago Bulls and 100 against the San Antonio Spurs. Not exactly stout defensive teams. While the Sixers allow a respectable 113.9 points per game without Embiid.

I’m expecting another tough night of scoring the basketball for the Blazers and taking the Under on their team total.

My best bet: Trail Blazers Team Total Under 106.5 (-106 at FanDuel)

76ers vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay

Trail Blazers team total Under 106.5

Anfernee Simons Under 23.5 points

Anfernee Simons Under 5.5 Assists

30% boost available

+375 +487 at bet365

As per usual, our same-game parlay tips off with our best bet which for this matchup is the Trail Blazers to stay below their team total of 106.5. And while no Joel Embiid, means the 76ers won’t have the same presence in the paint. But their perimeter defense should be as stingy as ever. 

Those things have me looking at Anfernee Simons to go Under his point total of 23.5. Simons is averaging 23.2 points per game this season, with nearly half of his field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc. Philly ranks first in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and second in opponent-made threes per game. He’s landed below this number in seven of his last 10 games.

Another reason the Blazers offense is so stagnant is because they are not great at ball movement. They rank dead last in the NBA when it comes to assists per game. So, sorry but we’re piling on Simons here and taking Under 5.5 assists with him as well.

Simons averages 5.2 assists per game this season and while he’s coming off two straight games where he has put up solid assist numbers, he had five assists or fewer in 12 of his previous 13 games, averaging just 4.1 assists over that stretch.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

76ers vs Trail Blazers spread and Over/Under analysis

The 76ers opened this matchup as 9-point road favorites and early reports were that Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris, who were all held out in that last game against the Nuggets, would suit up for this matchup and the line moved up to Philadelphia -10. 

However, with Embiid now being ruled out, the line moved down to 9.5. Philly is just 5-6 ATS without Embiid this season, and yes, Portland is bad at scoring, but they are at home and this is a lot of points to cover. I’ll stay away from the spread here.

When it comes to the total that hit the board at 224.5 and has come down two points since opening. The Under is 6-5 in the 76ers games without Embiid, and I think their defense will still show out in this matchup against the Blazers.

No Embiid has me leaning Under, but the Portland defense also isn’t great, ranking 21st in defensive rating and 24th in opponent eFG%. With a low number like this, I’ll stick to the Blazers to stay below their team total.

76ers vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know

The Under is 6-5 in the 11 games the Philadelphia 76ers have played without Joel Embiid this season. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Trail Blazers.

76ers vs Trail Blazers game info

76ers vs Trail Blazers latest injuries

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