The Philadelphia 76ers are catching the first-place Brooklyn Nets at the right time, with the latter having seven players in COIVD-19 health and safety protocols including James Harden. Brooklyn played with eight players in their win over Toronto on Tuesday, one of which being a hurt Kevin Durant. The 11-time NBA All-Star is dealing with some ankle soreness.

Regardless, the Nets are chugging along at 20-8 and atop the East. The 76ers dropped to 15-14 after losing versus Miami on Wednesday by a score of 101-96.

Tip-off at Barclays Center goes at 7:30 p.m. EST.

76ers vs. Nets NBA Betting Odds

The Nets have been awful at home against the spread in 2021 with a 3-10-1 mark in that category and failing to cover in their last six home games. Philadelphia’s covered in just one of their last seven games overall, so something’s set to give.

Brooklyn’s likely still going to be without all of Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, James Johnson, Jevon Carter, and DeAndre Bembry for this tilt — making the Nets a one-point favourite on the NBA odds.

The under is 9-6-1 in 76ers’ road games this season, and 9-5 in Nets’ home games. Both clubs are allowing 106 points against per game so far, while Brooklyn’s 10th in scoring (110 points per game) and Philadelphia’s 21st (106 points per game).

Philadelphia 76ers

A slow start put Philadelphia behind early against the Heat on Wednesday and they never recovered. Point guard Tyrese Maxey dropped a game-high 27 points in the loss on 11 of 15 shooting from the field, while Joel Embiid had 17 points and 14 rebounds but only connected on field of 13 field goals. Miami outrebounded Philadelphia 44-35 — the 76ers are dead last in rebounds per game with 42.1.

Forward Georges Niang missed Wednesday’s game due to COVID-19 protocols. The first-year 76er is averaging a career-high 10.4 points per game, and has started five games for Philadelphia this season. He will not play Thursday in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Nets

Despite dressing those eight players on Tuesday the Nets capped off an overtime win versus Toronto, led by Durant’s 34 points. Durant added 13 rebounds and 11 assists for a triple double. Veteran point guard Patty Mills stepped up in a big way with 30 points and seven three-pointers in the win, and rookie Kessler Edwards added a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) off the bench.

Durant continues to lead the league with 29.6 points per game, and is second with 36.9 minutes played per game. The Nets signed journeyman guard Langston Galloway to a 10-day contract on Wednesday, but given the team’s short-handedness there’s little reason to believe heavy minutes won’t be coming Durant’s way again. After all, he played 48 minutes Tuesday.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win 76ers vs. Nets?

76ERS

Away

107

NETS

Home

103

Score
Predictions

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