Philadelphia (39-22) at Oklahoma City (38-22)
When: Thursday, February 28th, 2019
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Oklahoma City -5.5/239.5
The Philadelphia 76ers will once again face a tough opponent without its All-Star center when they conclude their brief two-game road trip against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night – live on TNT. Joel Embiid has been out since the All-Star break and the Sixers have gone 2-1 without him, but have failed to cover the spread in each of those contests. What makes matters worse, is that backup center Boban Marjanovic is also not expected to play either. Marjanovic was injured late in Monday’s 111-110 win at New Orleans, as Philadelphia improved to 15-14 away from home. Philly will recall Justin Patton from the G-League for more depth. The Sixers are still 2.5 games ahead of slumping Boston for the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race and just a half-game behind Indiana for third. Oklahoma City came out of the All-Star Break with a wild 148-147 overtime win over Utah, but have since dropped their last two including a 121-112 setback at Denver to drop them four games behind the Nuggets for No. 2 in the Western Conference and only a half-game ahead of surging Portland. Oklahoma City has won 19 consecutive games against the Sixers – the longest active streak for one opponent over another in the NBA.
Without Embiid roaming the paint, Philadelphia managed to get contributions from both Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons in the game against the Pelicans. Harris brought down 10 rebounds to go with his team-high 29 points, while Simmons had 14 points and 12 boards – his most rebounds since January 26th versus Denver. Power forward Mike Scott came off the bench versus the Pelicans to contribute 12 points and has nailed seven of his last nine three-point attempts.
Oklahoma City recorded a 119-117 victory at Philadelphia on January 17th thanks to Paul George’s four-point play with 5.1 seconds left. George recorded 25 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals in the loss to Denver, but is just 11-of-43 from the floor over the last two games. Superstar Russell Westbrook is averaging 35.3 points on 52.1 percent shooting and 13 rebounds since the All-Star Break, but was limited to 21 points on 8-of-21 shooting in the last meeting with the 76ers.
This really is a lot of points to lay against a solid Philly team, but without Embiid, the Sixers will struggle against the Thunder. Oklahoma City plays much, much better at home and have covered the last four meetings. Look for the 76ers to hand around for a couple of quarters, then the Thunder roll.
Pick: Thunder -8
76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games.
76ers are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
76ers are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Thunder are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Thunder are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Thunder are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Thunder are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Thunder are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 Thursday games.
Under is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 road games.
Under is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 8-2 in 76ers last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in 76ers last 11 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in 76ers last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in 76ers last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 10-4-1 in 76ers last 15 vs. NBA Northwest.
Over is 13-6 in 76ers last 19 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 4-0 in Thunder last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 Thursday games.
Under is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Over is 7-2 in Thunder last 9 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 5-2 in Thunder last 7 overall.
Under is 41-18 in Thunder last 59 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 9-4 in Thunder last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 9-4 in Thunder last 13 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
76ers are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Oklahoma City.
76ers are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
