The Philadelphia 76ers (35-16) will face off against the New Orleans Pelicans (22-29) in Louisiana tonight as the Pelicans will try to figure out a way to grab a win without some key players in their lineup due to injury. New Orleans has gone 5-5 in their last 10, losing their last two straight while the Sixers are 7-3 in that same stretch. The Pelicans not only lost those last two games, but they got blown out of the water with a 107-123 loss to the Hawks followed up by a 111-139 defeat to the Nets.
Sixers vs. Pelicans, 8:00 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass
Pick ATS: 76ers -6.5
The Sixers are looking to jump back on top as they’re only a 0.5 game behind the first-place Nets, who took that top spot away from them just a few days ago. While it’s not all cut-and-dry already just yet, the Pelicans are riddled with injuries. Brandon Ingram (toe), Lonzo Ball (hip), and Kira Lewis Jr (calf) are all listed as questionable, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) and Josh Hart (thumb) will both be out. Luckily for the Pelicans, Zion Williamson returned from his three-game absence and should bear the majority of the scoring load tonight, but one man alone can’t take down a team like Philadelphia. Not only should the Sixers win the game, but they should cover the spread in this one with relative ease especially if Ingram doesn’t see the floor.
Player Prop: Joel Embiid O28.5 points (-106)
Since Embiid’s return to the lineup after recovering from his knee injury, he’s slotted right back into his old ways, scoring 24 points against Minnesota and following it up with 35 points against the Celtics. If the Pelicans are missing all the wrong players, Embiid shouldn’t have any trouble throwing down another 30-plus point game.
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