76ers vs. Pelicans Predictions, Odds, Preview

Apr. 9, 2021
by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Non-conference NBA action will resume on Friday night with the Pelicans set to square off with the Sixers at 8:00 eastern time in The Big Easy.

So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top contests.

76ers vs. Pelicans Betting Resources

Betting Odds - 76ers vs. Pelicans

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: 76ers -6
  • Money-Line: Philadelphia -250, New Orleans +210
  • Total: 228.5

Philadelphia enters Friday’s matchup as 6-point road-favorite over the Pelicans – marking the third consecutive contest that New Orleans has been listed as an underdog in.

While the total for this event currently sits at OU 228.5, which is just the ninth time that the over-under for a Pelicans’ game has been set below 230 since the start of March (18 games).


The 76ers face off with the Pelicans for the first time since December 2019 coming up on Friday night. (AP)

76ers vs. Pelicans Current Form-Last Game

The Sixers head into Friday boasting wins in three of their last four games – despite Joel Embiid being absent for two of the matchups during that timeframe.

Philadelphia’s most recent contest resulted in a double-digit win over the Celtics – as Embiid torched Boston for 35 points (16-20 FT) during the Sixers’ third victory against Jayson Tatum and company this season.

Contrarily, the Pelicans come into Friday’s contest having lost four of their last five games, with New Orleans’ only victory across that stretch coming against a horrendous Rockets squad – currently ranked 15th in the Western Conference with a record of 14-37 SU.

Things kept heading south for New Orleans during their most recent matchup against the Nets too, as Brooklyn cruised to a 27-point victory over the Pelicans, despite the absence of James Harden.

76ers vs. Pelicans Head-to-Head

  • Dec. 13, 2019 - 76ers 116 vs. Pelicans 109, Philadelphia -7, Over 222

The Sixers have won four straight regular season matchups against the Pelicans – with the most recent of those victories taking place back in December 2019.

Zion Williamson did not participate in the lone Philadelphia-New Orleans last season, and the Sixers managed to capitalize on both ends of the floor during his absence.

Embiid and Ben Simmons chipped in an efficient 24 points apiece in the victory, while Tobias Harris led the way for the Sixers with 31 points (12-20 FGA) during a contest that New Orleans was held to less than 110 points in.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Philadelphia 76ers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 35-16 SU, 28-21-2 ATS, 25-26 OU
  • Road: 15-11 SU, 12-12-2 ATS, 10-16 OU

After a 10-game absence due to a knee injury, Embiid finally returned to action during Philadelphia’s meeting with the Timberwolves last week, and didn’t look great in his first matchup back – scoring just 24 points on 6-14 from the field during a 9-point victory for the Sixers.

"The Process" stole the spotlight with his 35-point performance during Philadelphia’s victory over the Celtics on Wednesday though, as the Sixers rumbled to their third win since the start of April.

The total has been virtually a coin-flip in matchups containing Philadelphia this year – considering the ‘over’ has cashed at a 25-26 clip in Sixers’ games so far this season.

Make note though, low-scoring affairs have become a bit of a trend for Philadelphia lately – with the total staying 'under' in four of the last five Sixers’ games.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 22-29 SU, 23-28 ATS, 34-17 OU
  • Home: 14-13 SU, 12-15 ATS, 21-6 OU

The Pelicans’ injury concerns appear to have finally caught up to them as they head into Friday’s matchup against the Sixers – with New Orleans posting losses in four of their last five games, which can mainly be attributed with Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball being forced to miss a decent amount of time over that period.

Even with Ball and Ingram in the lineup though, the Pelicans already teetered on the edge of relevance in this year’s Western Conference – sitting at 21-25 SU prior to their most recent five-game window, which still positioned them several games behind the 8th seeded Grizzlies at the time.

Things have completely fallen apart for the Pelicans without their typical starters on the floor though, especially during games that they have trailed early in – resulting in double-digit losses in three of their last four games.

The total has gone 'over' at a 34-17 clip in matchups containing New Orleans this season, which leads the league by a healthy margin in that department. That trend has held steady for them during their latest stint of contests too – considering the ‘over’ has cashed in four of the last five Pelicans’ games.

Key Injuries

Philadelphia 76ers

  • PG George Hill: Thumb - Out

New Orleans Pelicans

  • SF Brandon Ingram: Foot - Questionable
  • PG Lonzo Ball: Hip - Questionable
  • PG Kira Lewis, Jr.: Calf - Questionable
  • SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Ankle - Out
  • SG Josh Hart: Thumb - Out

Player Prop Best Bet

Tobias Harris – Over 19.5 Points (-108)

Harris finds himself in the midst of a minor cold spell as Philadelphia heads into its matchup against the Pelicans on Friday night – considering the former Clipper has scored less than 15 points in three of his last five games.

Prior to that five-game window though, Harris had scored 20 or more points in 11 of his last 16 games, which includes three performances of 30 or more points during that stretch.

I’ll back Harris to bounce-back on the scoreboard against New Orleans here, as the Sixers desperately need to get him back on track if they plan on contending for an Eastern Conference title this summer.

76ers vs. Pelicans Prediction

The Sixers enter Friday’s matchup after posting wins in three of their last four games, with Philadelphia’s only loss during that span coming in a matchup against the Grizzlies that Embiid did not participate in.

While the Pelicans head into this contest following losses in three of their last four games, with all of New Orleans’ losses across that span coming by 15 points or more.

I’ll back Philadelphia to cover here, as the Pelicans will likely experience a multitude of difficulties trying to match up with the Sixers over the course of this one – especially with Ball and Ingram being banged up.

Score Prediction: Sixers 121, Pelicans 111
Best Bet: Philadelphia -6