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The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Washington Wizards for Game 5 of this best-of-seven series. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Wizards-76ers prediction and pick.
Philadelphia took a commanding 3-0 series lead into Game 4 and got off to another hot start in that game. Joel Embiid then left the game after taking a hard fall and the 76ers fell apart. The Wizards ended up taking Game 4 by a score of 122-114. Without Embiid in Game 5, the 76ers now have more of a series on their hands than they'd hoped for.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Wizards-76ers odds.
NBA Odds: Wizards-76ers Odds
Washington Wizards +6 (-105)
Philadelphia 76ers -6 (-115)
Over 229.5 Points (-110)
Under 229.5 Points (-110)
Why The Wizards Could Cover The Spread
The Wizards showed in Game 4 that although they are down, they're certainly not out yet. Scott Brooks made lineup adjustments for Game 4 that seemed to pay off. Of course Embiid's absence helped their cause, but the new-look Wizards came out with a lot more energy and efficiency in their first victory of the series.
The Wizards were able to get Ben Simmons into early foul trouble, which further weakened the 76ers. They were attacking Simmons early and often, which helped get him off the floor and gave the Wizards some easy looks from the charity stripe throughout. Washington will definitely look to replicate that effort in Game 5 as it hopes to make this a series.
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Bradley Beal led the way with 27 points in Game 4 despite a poor shooting night. Russell Westbrook added a triple-double despite his poor shooting night as well. Rui Hachimura, Robin Lopez, and Davis Bertans provided the necessary depth to make up for the inefficiencies and secure the victory. If the Wizards can pull off the victory, they will take this series to Washington for Game 6, which would definitely make things interesting, though Bertans is now out for the rest of the series with an injury.
Why The 76ers Could Cover The Spread
The 76ers were cruising through the first three games of this series and can't be happy with the way that Game 4 went. They got off to a hot start before their MVP candidate went down. The biggest focus for the 76ers will now turn to the health of their heart and soul.
Joel Embiid missed 21 games during the regular season, and his club went 10-11 in those games. Embiid had eight points, six boards, two assists, and a steal in his 11 minutes on the floor in Game 4. His presence will be dearly missed in Game 5.
Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris stepped up with double-doubles in Game 4. Although Simmons has been good in this series, the Wizards have exposed a severe weakness in his game. Simmons missed his first nine free-throw attempts in this series, which led to Washington employing the Hack-a-Ben tactic late in Game 4. He better start hitting his free throws or we may not see much of him in crunch time going forward.
Final Wizards-76ers Prediction & Pick
The 76ers will not live down to their performance in Game 4. I have to believe that Embiid's sudden departure hurt Philly's morale and boosted the Wizards' confidence mid-game. With time to prepare for a game without the MVP-caliber big man, the 76ers will have a plan to combat the Wizards' revamped game plan. The 76ers are 31-7 at the Wells Fargo Center and will come to play in front of their home crowd with a chance to close it out. Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook have been rather inefficient from the field, which will ultimately sink the Wizards' chances of making this a series.
FINAL PICK: Philadelphia 76ers -6 (-115)
