Trail Blazers vs 76ers Picks and Predictions: No Impeding Embiid & Co.

With Joel Embiid in sparkling MVP-level form, the Philadelphia 76ers are eyeing the No. 2 seed in the East as they welcome the Portland Trail Blazers to Wells Fargo Center tonight.

The 76ers return home after going 4-1 on their five-game road trip and got another monster performance from Embiid — 39 points in 28 minutes — to knock off the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. They’re now just one game in the loss column behind the Boston Celtics.

Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are fighting for their playoff lives and Chauncey Billups’ men head into this matchup sitting outside the play-in spots. Damian Lillard’s heroics have kept Portland afloat, but the offense went missing in a 115-93 loss to the Celtics on Wednesday.

Get the lowdown on tonight’s star-studded matchup with our free Trail Blazers vs 76ers NBA picks and predictions for March 10.

Trail Blazers vs 76ers best odds

Trail Blazers vs 76ers picks and predictions

After ending February with a couple of clunky offensive performances, Philadelphia rebounded in a big way on the road trip, looking every inch a Finals contender.

Two nights after using a 48-point fourth quarter to sink the Milwaukee Bucks, the 76ers hung 147 points on the Indiana Pacers behind 42 points from Joel Embiid and 20 assists from James Harden. Tyrese Maxey’s 24 points were a mere footnote that night. Not content with that, Embiid made short work of the Timberwolves to cap a statement week.

As the 76ers return to their home floor, I expect the offensive fireworks to continue — and the 120.5 points line for Philadelphia offers great value. The hosts had gone over that number in three straight games before easing off in Minnesota (without Harden) and still finishing with 117 points.

It helps, too, that the Trail Blazers have been floundering defensively while losing six of their last 10 games. Portland allowed 120 points or more in its first two March games and I’m not swayed by some small improvements on that end since then. 

With the 76ers’ Big 3 clicking, plus reliable contributions off the bench, I like the Philadelphia offense to steal the show again here.

My best bet: 76ers Over 120.5 points (-115 bet365)

Trail Blazers vs 76ers spread analysis

The 76ers seem to be finding their best form heading into the final month of the regular season and they’re heavy favorites tonight after winning their last three games, including an eye-catching comeback win over the Bucks last weekend. It’s hard to argue with a 9-point line here given these teams’ contrasting trajectories.

Philadelphia has come through regularly for ATS betters this season (38-27-0) and the hosts are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games against teams with a losing road record. Despite dropping their last two home games, the 76ers are 24-10 overall at Wells Fargo Center and should have a fresher Harden available after a night off against the Timberwolves.

It's tough to see the Trail Blazers (14-20 on the road) keeping this one close, especially with Anfernee Simons likely to be a game-time decision. Portland is 1-5 ATS in their last six outings against teams with a winning percentage over .600, and even another 40-point night from Damian Lillard may not be enough here, with Embiid, Harden, and Maxey leading the Philadelphia charge.

Trail Blazers vs 76ers Over/Under analysis

I’ve already jumped on the odds for the 76ers to have another hot shooting night, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Over is a slam dunk here. Yes, it’s 11-2 in Philadelphia’s last 13 home games after a road trip of seven or more days, but the Portland part of the total points equation is on shakier ground.

If Simons is sidelined, where are the Trail Blazers getting their scoring from outside Lillard and Jerami Grant? Portland struggled to crack the Boston defense on Wednesday and Embiid’s presence in the paint may reduce the visitors to a heavy diet of jumpshots.

The Under is 5-1 in the Trail Blazers’ last six games and their middling offense is going head-to-head with a Philadelphia defense that’s allowing the third-fewest points per game in the NBA.

While I don’t envision a scoreline as low as the 76ers’ 105-95 victory when these teams met in Portland in January, the Blazers’ 38% shooting that night is worth noting. Lillard made just six of his 21 shots in that matchup.

Trail Blazers vs 76ers betting trend to know

The Under is 4-1-1 in the 76ers’ last six home games against teams with a losing road record, and the hosts may take their foot off the gas if they build a big lead heading into the fourth quarter. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. 76ers.

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