Update: Harden has also been ruled out, so the Sixers are kind of punting on this game. Porter Jr. is in for Denver. The line is now Nuggets -9 and we’ll keep our ATS pick on Denver. The total is now 227.5 and we’ll still take the under.
Update: Harden is on track to play, while Embiid has been ruled out for Philadelphia. The MVP battle will have to be put on hold. The Nuggets are now 7.5-point favorites and the total has shifted to 229.5. Denver remains the ATS pick, but we’ll now take the under on 229.5 with Embiid out.
The Philadelphia 76ers (49-25) are set to travel West to take on the Denver Nuggets (50-24) Monday. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver. The Nikola Jokic versus Joel Embiid matchup is one that all NBA fans will love to see. This is the second and final matchup between these two teams. The 76ers won the last game 126-119.
For the 76ers, both Embiid and James Harden are dealing with leg injuries and are questionable. Michael Porter Jr. is also listed as questionable with injury management.
The Nuggets are 5.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook and the point total sits at 229. On the moneyline, the Nuggets are -210 while the 76ers are +180.
76ers vs. Nuggets, 9:30 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Nuggets -5.5
The Nuggets have been the best team in the NBA and most of their success has come at home as they’re 23-13-1 ATS. With Embiid and Harden banged up if they do play, Jokic will likely be too much for them to stop. This is also a revenge game for the Nuggets as they lost their last matchup against the 76ers.
The 76ers have lost two straight road games, while the Nuggets are coming off a 23-point victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nuggets are currently the No. 1 seed and hold the lead by three games. They will need to win their home games down the stretch as the Memphis Grizzlies are right behind them. Look for an easy win by the Nuggets tonight.
Over/Under: Over 229
This game is filled with superstars who can score the basketball. The 76ers road games have been much higher scoring. On the road, the over is 21-16 and I expect the trend to continue tonight. Jokic has been incredible offensively and will have his hands full guarding Embiid tonight. I think this will be a high-scoring contest where the Nuggets pull away late. The 76ers have also gone over this total in two straight.