Philadelphia 76ers Odds Outlook Following Harden Trade

Daryl Morey got his man. Morey was able to hold off on trading disgruntled superstar Ben Simmons for several months in order to bring in former Houston running mate James Harden in a blockbuster deal. It’s clear that the Philadelphia 76ers are in win now mode as a result of the trade, but Harden’s playoff struggles cast a long shadow over this team.

2021-22 Eastern Conference Title Odds

• Brooklyn Nets +300
• Milwaukee Bucks +320
• Philadelphia 76ers +340
• Miami Heat +450
• Boston Celtics +900
• Chicago Bulls +1400
• Cleveland Cavaliers +2500

Odds Provided by BetMGM - Subject to Change

Philadelphia is now in third place in the Eastern Conference with a quarter of the season left to go. The Sixers edged Milwaukee in their last game before the All-Star Break, and they have blasted Minnesota and New York on the road in their last two games behind strong performances from Joel Embiid.

Embiid is now even money to be named the NBA MVP, as he has been dominant in his last three games. He has scored 113 points in Philly’s three-game win streak, and the Sixers have to be feared as long as Embiid can stay healthy. That’s been a huge “if” over the course of his career though as Embiid has only played 308 games in his eight years in the NBA.

The acquisition of Harden gives Embiid another scoring threat to take the pressure off him in the middle. The two superstars have played well together in their two games with Harden handling the distributing with 28 assists.

The big question aside from Embiid’s health is the rest of Philadelphia’s lineup. The Sixers had to send their best three-point shooter to Brooklyn (Seth Curry) in the Harden trade, so more pressure will be on Tyrese Maxey. Tobias Harris will have to live up to his big contract too, and that is something Harris has struggled with in the postseason.

Milwaukee is still the best bet among the three favorites despite losing at home to Brooklyn last Saturday night. The Bucks know what it takes to win in the postseason, and they have known chemistry unlike the Nets and Sixers. Brooklyn might have to take part in the play-in round with a record of 32-30, and the Nets still can’t count on either Kyrie Irving or Ben Simmons.