Jacque Vaughn and the Nets are putting their money on the hope that a change of scenery and some home cooking will get them back in the series with the 76ers. Doc Rivers’ side will strive for a stranglehold on the series with a key road win.

While Philly is still favoured on the NBA odds, expectations are tempered compared to games 1 and 2, with the 76ers placed at -4.5. The total is 209.5

76ers vs. Nets NBA Playoffs Betting Odds

Well, Philly did it. They kept the playoff streak alive of covering when they win. The spread in Game 2 was a sizeable -10, and for some time it looked as if Brooklyn would defy those odds. Furthermore, at least in the first half, it looked like the Nets might outright win the game. But as in the series opener, strong third and fourth periods propelled the 76ers to a rather comfortable final score of 96-84.

Incidentally, both franchises were in near-identical situations a year ago in the first round. We say “franchises” because, as readers know, these Nets hardly resemble last year’s edition. All the same, Brooklyn was an underdog against Boston in the first round and lost the first two on the road. Philly was a favourite against Toronto and won the first two at home. As some may recall the Celtics would go on to sweep the Nets. The 76ers won Game 3 but struggled twice in a row and needed six games to extinguish the Raptors. The last time Philadelphia failed to make it out of the first round was in the bubble in 2020.

The series odds have ballooned in the Pennsylvanian side’s favour at -5000 to Brooklyn’s +1075.

Philadelphia 76ers

Judging solely from the first half performance, the Nets looked mighty fine in Game 2. The television cast’s “audio assist” feed revealed Nets players displaying terrific confidence and sensing that the series winds might be changing direction.

Philly was inexplicably sloppy in the first 24 minutes. Brooklyn showed more gusto when they didn’t have the ball, forcing more contested shots than in the first bout. James Harden, who had been sensational from beyond the arc in the opening match, was pedestrian at best (3-for-13 and 2-for-8 from distance). Cameron Johnson led the way with 28 points and looked to be on fire in before the break. Mikal Bridges was decent with 21 of his own but lacked the spark from Game 1. However, Nic Claxton continues to get bullied in this series. He shot a goose egg in Game 2 to go with six rebounds and two assists. The big issue was that Brooklyn entered the break only up five. Once the 76ers woke up and the Nets cooled off, the tide turned.

Brooklyn Nets

Game 2 was a demonstration of what can happen when a good ball club can rely on depth. Philly’s two most important players are superstars: Joel Embiid and James Harden. But when one of them has an off night, others pick up the slack.

Enter Tyrese Maxey, who resembled the player that hounded Toronto’s defence in last year’s first-round series. He had a great shooting night that resulted in a team-leading 33 points, which greatly bolstered Embiid’s and Tobias Harris’ 20 points. To be fair to Harden, he had four steals, which is excellent. A team with this sort of starting lineup and bench shouldn’t be discouraged by a five-point halftime and wasn’t on Monday. They came out of the break like a team possessed and played at a greater pace. Defence was the name of the game in a 96-84 final. A few more players should put some points on the board, but if Philly clamps down as they did in Game 2, this could be a short series.

Game 3 Prediction: Who Will Win 76ers vs. Nets?

76ERS

Away

104

NETS

Home

108

Score
Predictions

Matchup