76ers vs. Wizards Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

1 minute read

May 29, 2021

by Jonathan Willis
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Washington Wizards are hoping to avoid falling in an 0-3 hole on Saturday night. The Philadelphia 76ers won both of their games against the Wizards in Philadelphia, and a Game 3 win would essentially ice the series as no team has come back to win a series after trailing 0-3.

There is a ton of pressure on the Wizards to get the job done on Saturday or else risk getting swept out of the playoffs on Memorial Day.

76ers vs. Wizards Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern Conference Playoffs
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Capital One Arena
Location: Washington, D.C.
Date: Saturday, May 26, 2021
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - 76ers vs. Wizards

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: 76ers -6
Money-Line: Philadelphia -240, Washington +200
Total: 227.5

The 76ers travel to D.C. seeking a 3-0 series lead over the Wizards on Saturday night. (AP)

76ers vs. Wizards Current Form

Philadelphia was unable to pull away from Washington until the fourth quarter in Game 1 of this series. The Wizards briefly had the lead midway through the third quarter, but Tobias Harris proved to be too much. Harris had a game-high 37 points and went 15 of 29 from the floor in a 125-118 win for the Sixers.

Joel Embiid only pulled down six rebounds in the victory, but he also scored 30 points and went 12-of-13 from the free throw line. His five turnovers were a bit of an issue considering his size and strength in comparison to the rest of the Wizards though.

We saw a true Ben Simmons performance in Game 1 as well. Simmons finished with just six points and missed all six of his free throw attempts, but he had 15 rebounds, 15 assists, and only two turnovers.

Additionally, eight of those 15 rebounds were on the offensive glass, showcasing his skills in every other aspect of the game except shooting.

Bradley Beal kept the Wizards in it with 33 points on 13-of-23 shooting. Russell Westbrook had 16 points and 14 assists for the visitors, and Davis Bertans made four of his eight three-point attempts.

It was a rough Game 2 for the Wizards. They were blown out 120-95 as only Beal played well in the loss. He went 14-of-28 from the floor to finish with a game-high 33 points.

Unfortunately for Washington, Westbrook had just 10 points, and Bertans played his worst game of the season. Bertans had zero points, zero assists, zero steals, and zero blocks in 24 minutes before fouling out. Only two rebounds kept him from becoming the most prominent member of Club Tril.

All three of the Sixers’ best players posted solid numbers in the 25-point win. Harris, Embiid, and Simmons combined to make 28 of their 40 shots for 63 points.

Simmons nearly had a triple-double with 22 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, and he did a great job getting to the rim and finishing.

Wizards vs. 76ers Head-to-Head

May 26, 2021 - 76ers 120 vs. Wizards 95, Philadelphia +8, Under 229
May 23, 2021 - 76ers 125 vs. Wizards 118, Washington +8, Over 227.5
Mar. 12, 2021 - 76ers 127 at Wizards 101, Philadelphia -3.5, Under 239.5
Jan. 6, 2021 - 76ers 141 vs. Wizards 136, Washington +6.5, Over 234.5
Dec. 23, 2020 - 76ers 113 vs. Wizards 107, Washington +7.5, Under 231

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

Philadelphia 76ers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 51-23 SU, 39-32-3 ATS, 35-39 OU
Road: 20-16 SU, 16-18-2 ATS, 13-23 OU

During the regular season, Harris didn’t receive the same amount of attention as Embiid or Simmons. Although he was the second-leading scorer on the Sixers, he would disappear at times and didn’t dominate the headlines like the other two standout players.

Harris has been the team’s best offensive weapon through two games, and he is finally getting the respect he deserves. He is averaging 28.0 PPG and making 57.1% of his field goals and 37.5% of his threes through two games. Harris has been a solid rebounder too.

It feels like Embiid will have a monster performance in one game this series. The All-Star center is going to finish in second or third place in NBA MVP voting, and he has the size and strength to overpower anyone that the Wizards put against him.

Embiid is averaging 26.0 PPG and 6.5 PRG this series, but he is liable to go off on Saturday night.

Simmons won’t need to shoot well for the Sixers to get past the Wizards, but he will need to hit his jumpers if Philadelphia is going to beat either Milwaukee or Brooklyn in the East.

To that end, head coach Doc Rivers might be encouraging Simmons to shoot more in order to get more of a feel for playoff basketball, and we saw Simmons put up solid numbers in Game 2. He is averaging 14.0 PPG, 12.0 RPG, and 11.5 APG in this series.

Washington Wizards Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 35-41 SU, 43-32-1 ATS, 38-38 OU
Home: 20-17 SU, 20-17 ATS, 20-17 OU

Washington may be without its second-best player on Saturday night. Westbrook rolled his ankle on Wednesday, and he is considered questionable to play. He didn’t take part in practice on Friday, putting his status up in the air for this game.

Westbrook isn’t a great shooter, but he has been running the offense this season. He had 25 assists through his two playoff games so far, and he does a good job of crashing the boards to get rebounds too. It’s going to be tough for the Wizards to win Game 3 if Westbrook doesn’t suit up on Saturday night.

Beal has done a good job of sinking his twos in this series. Beal has made 52.9% of his field goals, and he is also the leading rebounder on the Wizards.

However, his struggles from beyond the three-point line have hurt Washington. He is making just 16.7% of his threes.

As a whole, this team is struggling with its perimeter shooting. The Wizards are making just 23.8% of their threes through two games, and that’s not going to cut it if they are going to pull off the upset. Washington is not a good defensive team, so the Wizards need to hit their looks to take a game off the Sixers.

Key Injuries

Washington Wizards

PG Russell Westbrook: Ankle - Questionable
SF Deni Avdija: Ankle - Out
C Thomas Bryant: Knee - Out

Philadelphia 76ers

None