The Brooklyn Nets will try to avoid falling into the dreaded 0-3 hole in their first-round playoff series with the Philadelphia 76ers at home on Thursday night.
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?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 18 Apr 10:27am | PHI | -4.5 -110 | O +208.5 -110 |
| Closing 20 Apr 9:17pm | PHI | -5 -110 | O +210 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
76ers Team Leaders
| Points |
33.08 |
| Assists |
10.66 |
| Rebounds |
10.15 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.64 |
| Blocks |
1.7 |
| Points |
27.1 |
| Assists |
9.08 |
| Rebounds |
9.24 |
| FG% |
70.5 |
| Steals |
1.4 |
| Blocks |
2.49 |
| Points |
23.67 |
| Assists |
8.27 |
| Rebounds |
9.78 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
2.78 |
| Points |
23.5 |
| Assists |
6.5 |
| Rebounds |
8 |
| FG% |
72 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
| Points |
33.08 |
| Assists |
10.66 |
| Rebounds |
10.15 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.64 |
| Blocks |
1.7 |
| Points |
27.1 |
| Assists |
9.08 |
| Rebounds |
9.24 |
| FG% |
70.5 |
| Steals |
1.4 |
| Blocks |
2.49 |
| Points |
23.67 |
| Assists |
8.27 |
| Rebounds |
9.78 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
2.78 |
| Points |
23.5 |
| Assists |
6.5 |
| Rebounds |
8 |
| FG% |
72 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
Injuries
Tyrese Maxey (PG)
Danuel House Jr. (SF)
Jalen McDaniels (PF)
Dewayne Dedmon (C)
Danuel House Jr. (SF)
James Harden (SG)
Tobias Harris (SF)
Georges Niang (SF)
James Harden (SG)
Tobias Harris (SF)
Nic Claxton (C)
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)
Seth Curry (SG)
Royce O'Neale (SF)
Edmond Sumner (PG)
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Day'Ron Sharpe (C)
Royce O'Neale (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Maxey (PG) | day-to-day | Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23 | 4-3 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Maxey exited Monday's game with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will return. |
|||||
| Danuel House Jr. (SF) | Prob Mon | Illness - 20 / 04 / 23 | 5-3 | 4-5 | + - |
|
House Jr. is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Celtics Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Jalen McDaniels (PF) | Prob Thurs | Illness - 19 / 04 / 23 | 5-3 | 4-5 | + - |
|
McDaniels is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Dewayne Dedmon (C) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 23 | 7-3 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Dedmon has an unspecified ailment, but it is projected that he will participate in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Danuel House Jr. (SF) | Prob Sat | Foot - 12 / 04 / 23 | 7-3 | 6-5 | + - |
|
House Jr. has a foot injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| James Harden (SG) | Prob Sat | Achilles - 08 / 04 / 23 | 8-3 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Harden is managing a left Achilles injury, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Tobias Harris (SF) | Prob Sat | Hip - 08 / 04 / 23 | 8-3 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Harris is nursing a left hip injury, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Nets. |
|||||
| Georges Niang (SF) | Prob Sat | Knee - 08 / 04 / 23 | 8-3 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Niang is tending to left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will partake in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| James Harden (SG) | Out Fri | Rest - 07 / 04 / 23 | 8-4 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Harden will not face the Hawks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Tobias Harris (SF) | Out Fri | Rest - 07 / 04 / 23 | 8-4 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Harris is out of the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with the Hawks as he will be handed a day of rest. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nic Claxton (C) | Out Sun | Rest - 09 / 04 / 23 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Claxton is taking a day of rest, and he will not suit up against the 76ers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Spencer Dinwiddie (PG) | Out Sun | Rest - 09 / 04 / 23 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Dinwiddie will be absent from Sunday's showdown with the 76ers as he is taking a rest day. |
|||||
| Seth Curry (SG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 08 / 04 / 23 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Curry is managing a left ankle injury, but it is likely that he will lace up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
|||||
| Royce O'Neale (SF) | Prob Sat | Knee - 08 / 04 / 23 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
O'Neale injured his left knee, but it is anticipated that he will bounce back in time for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the 76ers. |
|||||
| Edmond Sumner (PG) | Prob Sat | Hip - 08 / 04 / 23 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Sumner is tending to a right hip contusion, but it is not expected to affect his availability for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
|||||
| Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) | Prob Sat | Wrist - 08 / 04 / 23 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Finney-Smith is dealing with a right wrist contusion, but it is projected that he will face the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Prob Sat | Knee - 08 / 04 / 23 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Johnson is nursing right knee soreness, but it is not likely to affect his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers. |
|||||
| Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) | Prob Fri | Wrist - 05 / 04 / 23 | 2-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Finney-Smith sat out the last game due to a right wrist contusion, but it is projected that he will partake in Friday's clash with the Magic. |
|||||
| Day'Ron Sharpe (C) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 30 / 03 / 23 | 3-6 | 4-6 | + - |
|
Sharpe is expected to take on the Hawks on Friday despite a left ankle sprain. |
|||||
| Royce O'Neale (SF) | Prob Wed | Knee - 26 / 03 / 23 | 4-7 | 5-7 | + - |
|
O'Neale was absent from the previous game with left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will face the Rockets on Wednesday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 18 Apr 10:27am PHI -4.5 -110 O +208.5 -110 Closing 20 Apr 9:17pm PHI -5 -110 O +210 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
76ers Team Leaders
Points 33.08
Assists 10.66
Rebounds 10.15
FG% 75
Steals 1.64
Blocks 1.7
Points 27.1
Assists 9.08
Rebounds 9.24
FG% 70.5
Steals 1.4
Blocks 2.49
Points 23.67
Assists 8.27
Rebounds 9.78
FG% 100
Steals 1.82
Blocks 2.78
Points 23.5
Assists 6.5
Rebounds 8
FG% 72
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.75
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
Points 33.08
Assists 10.66
Rebounds 10.15
FG% 75
Steals 1.64
Blocks 1.7
Points 27.1
Assists 9.08
Rebounds 9.24
FG% 70.5
Steals 1.4
Blocks 2.49
Points 23.67
Assists 8.27
Rebounds 9.78
FG% 100
Steals 1.82
Blocks 2.78
Points 23.5
Assists 6.5
Rebounds 8
FG% 72
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.75
-
Injuries
Tyrese Maxey (PG)
day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23Danuel House Jr. (SF)
Prob Mon Illness - 20 / 04 / 23Jalen McDaniels (PF)
Prob Thurs Illness - 19 / 04 / 23Dewayne Dedmon (C)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 23Danuel House Jr. (SF)
Prob Sat Foot - 12 / 04 / 23James Harden (SG)
Prob Sat Achilles - 08 / 04 / 23Tobias Harris (SF)
Prob Sat Hip - 08 / 04 / 23Georges Niang (SF)
Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23James Harden (SG)
Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23Tobias Harris (SF)
Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23Nic Claxton (C)
Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)
Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23Seth Curry (SG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 08 / 04 / 23Royce O'Neale (SF)
Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23Edmond Sumner (PG)
Prob Sat Hip - 08 / 04 / 23Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Prob Sat Wrist - 08 / 04 / 23Cameron Johnson (PF)
Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Prob Fri Wrist - 05 / 04 / 23Day'Ron Sharpe (C)
Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 23Royce O'Neale (SF)
Prob Wed Knee - 26 / 03 / 23Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tyrese Maxey (PG) day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23 4-3 4-3 + - Maxey exited Monday's game with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will return.
Danuel House Jr. (SF) Prob Mon Illness - 20 / 04 / 23 5-3 4-5 + - House Jr. is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Celtics Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen McDaniels (PF) Prob Thurs Illness - 19 / 04 / 23 5-3 4-5 + - McDaniels is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Dewayne Dedmon (C) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 23 7-3 6-5 + - Dedmon has an unspecified ailment, but it is projected that he will participate in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Danuel House Jr. (SF) Prob Sat Foot - 12 / 04 / 23 7-3 6-5 + - House Jr. has a foot injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
James Harden (SG) Prob Sat Achilles - 08 / 04 / 23 8-3 7-5 + - Harden is managing a left Achilles injury, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Tobias Harris (SF) Prob Sat Hip - 08 / 04 / 23 8-3 7-5 + - Harris is nursing a left hip injury, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Nets.
Georges Niang (SF) Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23 8-3 7-5 + - Niang is tending to left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will partake in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
James Harden (SG) Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23 8-4 8-5 + - Harden will not face the Hawks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Tobias Harris (SF) Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23 8-4 8-5 + - Harris is out of the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with the Hawks as he will be handed a day of rest.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Nic Claxton (C) Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23 1-3 2-3 + - Claxton is taking a day of rest, and he will not suit up against the 76ers on Sunday.
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG) Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23 1-3 2-3 + - Dinwiddie will be absent from Sunday's showdown with the 76ers as he is taking a rest day.
Seth Curry (SG) Prob Sat Ankle - 08 / 04 / 23 1-3 2-3 + - Curry is managing a left ankle injury, but it is likely that he will lace up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Royce O'Neale (SF) Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23 1-3 2-3 + - O'Neale injured his left knee, but it is anticipated that he will bounce back in time for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the 76ers.
Edmond Sumner (PG) Prob Sat Hip - 08 / 04 / 23 1-3 2-3 + - Sumner is tending to a right hip contusion, but it is not expected to affect his availability for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) Prob Sat Wrist - 08 / 04 / 23 1-3 2-3 + - Finney-Smith is dealing with a right wrist contusion, but it is projected that he will face the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23 1-3 2-3 + - Johnson is nursing right knee soreness, but it is not likely to affect his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) Prob Fri Wrist - 05 / 04 / 23 2-4 3-4 + - Finney-Smith sat out the last game due to a right wrist contusion, but it is projected that he will partake in Friday's clash with the Magic.
Day'Ron Sharpe (C) Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 23 3-6 4-6 + - Sharpe is expected to take on the Hawks on Friday despite a left ankle sprain.
Royce O'Neale (SF) Prob Wed Knee - 26 / 03 / 23 4-7 5-7 + - O'Neale was absent from the previous game with left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will face the Rockets on Wednesday.