Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

7 minute read

Oct. 22, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Two Eastern Conference powerhouses will tip off Friday night with both missing key players – for completely different reasons. The Sixers – minus Ben Simmons – host the Nets – minus Kyrie Irving – Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in South Philadelphia.

Score Prediction

Sixers 124, Nets 118

Best Bets

Sixers ML

Over

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Predictions

Both of these teams are without their starting PGs but it may not matter short-term for either. The reason – so far – has been their respective replacements, Tyrese Maxey in Philly, and Patty Mills in Brooklyn. The Sixers ran through a Zion-less Pelicans team with usual suspects Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris leading the way. But it was Maxey who made his 34 minutes count, with 20 points and five assists.

There may be some subtle differences in the Sixers defense, but the team did not miss Simmons for a moment against New Orleans, just ask Furkan Korkmaz. Sixers open the building against a beatable Nets team, all the while moving on from the Simmons drama.

Kevin Durant did his thing, but the Nets were left star-watching Giannis do whatever he wanted. Brooklyn’s defense left a lot to be desired, watching a Bucks team post multiple 20- point scorers in their beating of the Nets. But it wasn’t BK giving up 127 to Milwaukee that was truly shocking, rather their inability to keep up offensively.

Patty Mills keyed a nice three-point exhibition, but Brooklyn can’t come with the same approach down low with Embiid. James Harden was fine, helping to fill the void left by Irving, but they need more from both Blake Griffin and Joe Harris.

Outside of the obvious absences on both sides, nothing has truly changed – at least fundamentally – from last year. Both teams saw disappointing exits from the playoffs, and it stands are fired up to make runs at the championship. James Harden being healthy is a huge variable, but once again Brooklyn finds themselves with a “Big 2” not “3”. Embiid is also on a mission – like KD – to validate a long season with a championship.

This is a huge season for Tobias Harris to solidify himself as a legit All-Star – and the default second option on his team. Depending on the matchup for KD, keep an eye out for Tobias Harris taking advantage of Harris or Blake Griffin.

Mills is a sneaky weapon especially from three, but the Sixers have two sharpshooters and would welcome a shootout. Seth Curry and Korkmaz should benefit exponentially from spacing created by Embiid. It should be a big assist night for the Sixers center.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

• Nets -125
• 76ers +105
• Nets -1.5 (-110)
• 76ers +1.5 (-110)
• Over 230.5 (-110)
• Under 230.5 (-110)

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Atlantic
• Date: Friday, October 22, 2021
• Venue: Wells Fargo Center
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• TV-Time: ESPN - 7:30 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Brooklyn Nets Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 0-1
• ATS: 0-1
• O/U: 1-0

The void left by Irving is far bigger than anything left by Simmons, but the Nets have been here before. It’s the double-edged sword as Brooklyn got accustomed to living life minus at least one star last year. It’s also a ridiculously tough matchup with a lot of pressure on Harden to make up some scoring.

If the supporting cast is simply Mills knocking down 3’s – like we saw against the Bucks – then expect Brooklyn to shoot themselves out of this game. The margin for error is just so thin even with Durant and Harden. Neither of them can get in foul trouble nor have a bad night shooting.

Harris isn’t saving this team from a loss. It’s also hard to think Mills can duplicate his 7-7 night beyond the arc, especially with the Sixers' perimeter defense led by Matisse Thybulle.

Philadelphia 76ers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 1-0
• ATS: 1-0
• O/U: 0-1

Ben who? The Sixers were far from crisp but still rolled the Pelicans. It’s a sign of how good this team can be even without an all-NBA defender. Embiid didn’t even have to play 30 minutes but still did enough damage.

Harris is a given on offense but showed strong improvements on the defensive side. Without Simmons on the floor, Harris now has a larger responsibility on defense. Philadelphia can get buckets from the outside, something that will be created by Embiid’s spacing and matchups.

Don’t forget they got deeper behind Embiid addingAndre Drummond – with 17 rebounds in the opener! Korkmaz and Curry can launch, Harris and Maxey can put the ball on the floor, and Embiid can do both. The Sixers will most likely give up a little more each game, but their offense already looks improved from last year.

The Brooklyn Nets have gone UNDER the point total in seven of their last nine games. (AP)

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Head-to-Head

This is the first time the two teams will play but won’t be the last this year. The two teams played three times in last year’s shortened season. The Nets won the first matchup in January, but saw Philadelphia win the next two, winning the season series 2-1. None of the Nets Big 3 played in their lone win.

Key Players to Watch

• BKN: Kevin Durant - PF (32 ppg, 11 rpg, 4 apg)
• BKN: James Harden - SG (20 ppg, 8 rpg, 8 apg)
• PHI: Tyrese Maxey - PG (20 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg)
• PHI: Joel Embiid - C (22 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg)

Injuries

• PHI: Shake Milton - SG (Out)
• PHI: Grant RIller - G (Out)
• PHI: Ben Simmons - PG (Out)
• PHI: Joel Embiid - C (DTD)

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Conclusion

Go over this large total at 230 mainly because of Philadelphia. The Sixers didn’t look lost or struggling to find any defensive identity. Watching them on offense and you would never know they lost a gifted point guard. The Nets will send out their top-heavy squad hoping Durant and Harden can soak up enough production.

The Sixers are deep, and have multiple weapons who can do different things. Furkan and Seth are knockdown, Maxey and Harris get to the rack, and Embiid causes matchup issues for anyone – especially Lamarcus Aldridge. I like the Nets this year but not this game, not in South Philadelphia. The Sixers were 29-7 – best in the East – last year at home.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

• Philadelphia has bone OVER the point total in five of its last six games when facing Brooklyn.
• Philadelphia has cover the spread in eight of its last 11 games when facing Brooklyn.
• Brooklyn has lost five of its last six games.
• Brooklyn has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.

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