76ers vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Odds, Preview

Feb. 11, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Interconference NBA action will take center-stage in Thursday’s nightcap with the Portland Trail Blazers set to host the Philadelphia 76ers on TNT, and VI is getting you ready with another slate of Best Bets and Game Previews to help handicap all the evening’s top matchups.

76ers vs. Trail Blazers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Non-Conference
• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Venue: Moda Center
• Location: Portland, Oregon
• Date: Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
• Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - 76ers vs. Trail Blazers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

• Spread: 76ers -5.5
• Money-Line: Philadelphia -220, Portland +190
• Total: 229.5

The Sixers come into Thursday’s contest as a 5.5-point favorite, marking the fifth consecutive matchup that Philadelphia has been listed as a favorite in. While the ‘over-under’ for this matchup currently sits at OU 229.5 points – with the ‘under’ barely cashing in each of Philadelphia’s last two games against totals in the low 230’s.

Portland knocked off Philadelphia last week as the two teams hook up at Moda Center on Thursday. (AP)

76ers vs. Trail Blazers Current Form-Last Game

The Sixers have won and covered the spread in each of their last two games, with their most recent defeat coming via the Blazers last Thursday.

Philadelphia’s latest matchup occurred this past Tuesday and resulted in an 8-point victory over the Kings, as De’Aaron Fox racked up 34 points and 10 assists in his effort to keep Sacramento competitive against the top dogs in this year’s Eastern Conference.

Fox’s efforts weren’t nearly enough though, as Philadelphia cruised to another victory behind 25 points and 17 rebounds from Joel Embiid, along with 22 points apiece from Tobias Harris and Seth Curry.

On the other side of things, the Blazers are now 4-2 SU and ATS in their last six games – despite being listed as ‘underdogs’ in four of those contests.

Portland was a 6-point favorite in their most recent matchup against Orlando though, as Damian Lillard (36 points) and Carmelo Anthony (23 points) propelled the Blazers to a 9-point win over the Magic.

76ers vs. Trail Blazers Head-to-Head

• Feb. 4, 2021 - Trail Blazers 121 at 76ers 105, Portland +10, Over 223
• Aug. 9, 2020 - Trail Blazers 124 vs. 76ers 121, Portland -2.5, Over 229.5 (Played in NBA Bubble)
• Nov. 2, 2019 - 76ers 129 at Trail Blazers 128, Philadelphia -1, Over 224.5

Philadelphia and Portland split a pair of tightly contested matchups during last year’s regular season, with the largest margin separating these teams in a contest being the Blazers 3-point win back in November 2019.

The most recent matchup between the Blazers and Sixers took place last Thursday though, as Portland easily took care of business, 121-105 in a contest that Lillard and Ben Simmons both did not participate in.

Last week’s contest between the Sixers and Blazers went ‘over’ the set total of OU 223 points, which has led to the ‘over-under’ for Thursday’s game being elevated to OU 229.

‘Over’ bettors likely won’t be phased by this number though, considering these teams had combined for 230 or more points in three consecutive matchups prior to last Thursday’s tilt.

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

Philadelphia 76ers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

• Overall: 18-7 SU, 14-10-1 ATS, 13-12 OU
• Road: 7-5 SU, 5-6-1 ATS, 5-7 OU

Philadelphia currently sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 17-8 SU record and has also managed to maintain a similar level of efficiency ATS – tied for the third-best record in the NBA against the spread at 14-10-1.

The ‘over-under’ in Sixers games has only been set at 229 or higher four times so far this season, and the game went ‘under’ the total on three out of those four occasions.

Portland Trail Blazers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

• Overall: 13-10 SU, 11-12 ATS, 12-11 OU
• Home: 6-5 SU, 3-8 ATS, 5-6 OU

Despite losing the majority of their starting lineup to injury already, the Blazers keep plowing ahead in the Western Conference standings – having won five of their last seven contests, now trailing the Suns by just one and a half games.

The ‘under’ has cashed in back-to-back games for Portland against ‘over-unders’ sitting in the low 220’s but prior to that, the total had gone ‘over’ in four consecutive Blazers games – which includes their matchup with Philadelphia last Thursday (O 223).

Key Injuries

Philadelphia 76ers

• SG Shake Milton: Ankle - Doubtful
• PF Mike Scott: Knee - Out

Portland Trail Blazers

• SG C.J. McCollum: Foot - Out
• C Jusuf Nurkic: Wrist - Out
• SF Nassir Little: Knee - Questionable

While the Sixers currently only have two rotational pieces listed on their injury report ahead of this contest, the Blazers head into Thursday’s matchup with over half of their typical starting lineup out, which includes their second and third scoring options – C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic.

Player Prop Best Bet

Joel Embiid – Over 29.5 Points (-116)

Embiid had an off-night during the Sixers victory over the Kings this past Tuesday, scoring just 25 points on 6-15 from the field, while failing to knock down a 3-point attempt in a matchup for just the fourth time this season.

Prior to that though, Joel tallied 30 or more points in four consecutive contests, including his 37-point performance against Portland last week.

I’ll back Embiid to score 30 or more points again this Thursday as he should have another field day matching up with a Blazers frontcourt comprised of mostly backups.

76ers vs. Trail Blazers Prediction

The Blazers come into Thursday’s contest having won three of their last four matchups, which includes a victory over the Sixers last week that Simmons and Lillard both did not participate in.

Last time out against the Portland, Embiid scored 37 points on 67% from the field compared the rest of Philadelphia’s starters shooting a combined 11-34 from the floor.

I’ll back the Sixers to cover here, as I anticipate that having Simmons commanding the floor this time around will help Philadelphia’s offense find the rhythm they were lacking in their loss to the Blazers last Thursday.

Score Prediction: 76ers 121, Trail Blazers 110
Best Bet: Philadelphia -5.5