Two Eastern Conference giants face off in Wednesday night's slate of NBA games as the Brooklyn Nets (29-17) visit the Philadelphia 76ers (30-16). We continue our NBA odds series with a Nets-Sixers prediction and pick.

Since losing Kevin Durant in the lineup after being sidelined for an isolated MCL sprain of the right knee, the Nets seem to have lost some offensive outputs but have gradually found some rhythm. The Nets initially had an 0-4 streak during that stretch, but have gradually found some victories over the Jazz and the Warriors.

Philly owns the longest active winning streak at five stragiht, thanks to an all-around team outputs that secured wins over the Jazz. :alers. Clippers, Blazers, and Kings. The Sixers only have two losses to open 2023. Another win here might just inch them closer to the peak of the Eastern Conference ladder to gradually dethrone the top-seeded Boston Celtics.

Here are the Nets-Sixers NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel

NBA Odds: Nets-Sixers Odds

Brooklyn Nets: +5.5 (-114)

Philadelphia 76ers: -5.5 (-106)

Over: 225.5 (-112)

Under: 225.5 (-108)

How To Watch Nets vs. Sixers

TV: YES Network, ESPN

Stream: NBA League Pass

Time: 7:10 PM ET / 4:10 PM PT

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread

The Nets looked like they are headed to a losing streak since Kevin Durant sat out for his injury, but Jacque Vaughn's squad managed to pick up the pieces and approach this game with a two-win streak. The team's resilience was evident in their previous game with the Golden State Warriors, where they trailed as much as 17 points and were down 12 with less than 5:30 to go in the fourth quarter. Nic Claxton and Kyrie Irving had their clutch genes activated to push the Nets to a 22-6 run to seal the victory, 120-116. Claxton had a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double while Ben Simmons also contributed seven points and 11 assists. Irving was the main man for the Nets on that win, who put up 38 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.

Since the turn of the calendar, the Nets have sunk at least 12 three-pointers in nine of their last 11 January games. For a team that features Durant, Irving, Royce O'Neale, Seth Curry, Joe Harris, TJ Warren, and Yuta Watanabe, this is highly expected of the Nets and they should capitalize on these strengths. On the defensive end, the Nets should also keep up with the defensive efficiencies put up by Simmons and Claxton. Claxton has now tallied 12 straight games with three or more blocks, while Simmons averages 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals for his nightly contributions.

The Nets should be able to cover this spread if they continue making strides in bench scoring. Warren seems to be the most consistent among the non-starters, averaging 9.9 points, three rebounds, and 1.2 assists for the season in 22 matches played. Curry and Watanabe should be also getting in their shooting groove as they have now surpassed their injury struggles. Edmond Sumner and Cam Thomas should also make the msot of their minutes.

Why The Sixers Could Cover The Spread

Since losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Philly went on a 5-o winning streak. Three of those games come in single-digit wins, which were almost comeback attempts from their opponents. All credit goes to Doc Rivers, who has fielded a mix of offensive shooters and defensive menaces for the Sixers.

Rivers also made some experimentations in his line-ups that proved valuable for Philadelphia. Tyrese Maxey, who suffered a long bout of foot injury since November 18, was shifted as a productive bench scorer, where he as replaced by De'Anthony Melton. Maxyey was able to produce three games of 15-plus points in that five-game winning streak. He was brought back as a starter when Joel Embiid and James Harden were out in their Sacramento match-up, where he poured in 32 points, six assists, and a perfect six-for-six in the free throw line.

Embiid is also questionable heading into this game, and as sources told that he did not practice much on Tuesday for resting his sore foot, Montrezl Harrell is due to another starting role. In the Sacramento match-up, Trez contributed 17 points, seven rebounds, and a block.

James Harden is primed to be back to the starting lineup, so Philly expects that Maxey, Harden, Melton, Tobias Harris, and Harrell will play the most minutes on the floor. Rivers has also shown some uptick of minutes for Shake Milton, Paul Reed, and Matisse Thybulle, so the Sixers have great chances to cover this spread.

Final Nets-Sixers Prediction & Pick

The last match-up between these two teams happened last November, where Philly got the 115-106 win. Embiid and Durant are expected to be absent in this fixture, but between the two Eastern Conference giants, Philadelphia has shown more resolve and optimistic results in the hardwood. With Maxey, Harden, and Harris not taking their foot off the gas pedal, Irving, Warren, Curry, and Claxton have some catching up to do in the offense, which produced mixed results in their recent matches. Expect the home team to carry the win at Wells Fargo Center.

Final Nets-Sixers Prediction & Pick: Philadelphia 76ers -5.5 (-106)