The major question mark for Game 1 is regarding Joel Embiid, easily the NBA’s best centre, and his sore knee. He has missed 14 games since the All-Star break.
Arguably the most interesting Eastern Conference NBA first-round playoff series tips off Saturday afternoon with the sixth-seeded Brooklyn Nets visiting the No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Toronto Raptors fans will surely be monitoring this series as the Raptors, presuming they get past the Orlando Magic in the first round, will face the winner in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Pretty amazing what a difference two seasons can make. In 2016-17, Brooklyn had the worst record in the East at 20-62 and Philadelphia the second-worst at 28-54. The Nets are clearly on the rise under excellent coach Kenny Atkinson and in the playoffs for the first time since 2015. The Sixers believe they have the talent to win the East. They were eliminated in last year’s playoffs in the conference semifinals in five games by Boston.
These teams split four regular-season meetings, the home side going 1-1. Joel Embiid dominated vs. the Nets in averaging 30.0 points, 14.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Ben Simmons put up 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Spencer Dinwiddie led the Nets vs. Philly in averaging 23.8 points (off the bench), while D’Angelo Russell put up 21.0 points and 7.3 assists.
Philadelphia is +333 at Sports Interaction to win the East, with Brooklyn at +5000. The home team has covered four of the past five in this series.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are pretty fun to watch as they play fast and jack up a ton of three-pointers – 36.2 per game, to be exact, fifth-most in the NBA. Brooklyn is just middle of the pack in making them, hitting 35.3 per cent. Russell, an All-Star whom the Nets stole from the Lakers in a trade a couple of years ago, is the engine that makes this team go as he averages a team-best 21.1 points. Dinwiddie (16.8 ppg) is one of the best Sixth Men in the league. Where the Nets have an advantage in this series is in depth off the bench. Brooklyn is 6-1 ATS in its past seven road games.
Philadelphia 76ers
No question the Sixers have the better starting five here. In fact, that group of Simmons, Jimmy Butler, JJ Redick, Tobias Harris and Embiid might be the best starting group east of Golden State. Alas, in trading for Butler and Harris this season, the team stripped down its depth off the bench. The major question mark for Game 1 is regarding Embiid, easily the NBA’s best centre, and his sore knee. He has missed 14 games since the All-Star break either because of that knee or simply to rest it. The team says it’s possible he could sit Game 1, but that seems unlikely. During the regular season, the Nets outscored the 76ers by 40 points in 58 minutes with Embiid off the floor.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 12 Apr 1:53pm | BK | -8 -110 | O +232 -110 |
| Closing 13 Apr 6:35pm | BK | -7.5 -110 | O +228 -110 |
Injuries
Ed Davis (C)
Ed Davis (C)
Jared Dudley (SF)
Joe Harris (SF)
DeMarre Carroll (SF)
Treveon Graham (SF)
Shabazz Napier (PG)
Allen Crabbe (SG)
Shabazz Napier (PG)
DeMarre Carroll (SF)
Greg Monroe (C)
Mike Scott (PF)
Jonah Bolden (SF)
Jimmy Butler (SG)
Tobias Harris (SF)
Jonah Bolden (SF)
Mike Scott (PF)
Jonah Bolden (SF)
JJ Redick (SG)
JJ Redick (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ed Davis (C) | Out Tues | Ankle - 18 / 04 / 19 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
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Davis has a right ankle sprain and will not be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
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| Ed Davis (C) | Prob Mon | Ankle - 14 / 04 / 19 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
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Davis suffered a sprained right ankle but is likely to be ready for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
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| Jared Dudley (SF) | Prob Thurs | Calf - 14 / 04 / 19 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
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Dudley is bothered by right calf tightness but is likely to be available for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
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| Joe Harris (SF) | Prob Sat | Foot - 09 / 04 / 19 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
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Harris is dealing with right foot soreness but it is likely he will play against the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| DeMarre Carroll (SF) | Prob Sat | Wrist - 07 / 04 / 19 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
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Carroll has a right wrist sprain but it is expected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers. |
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| Treveon Graham (SF) | Ques Thurs | Shoulder - 28 / 03 / 19 | 6-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Graham is experiencing soreness in his left shoulder and it is unknown if he will suit up against the 76ers on Thursday. |
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| Shabazz Napier (PG) | Prob Thurs | Illness - 19 / 03 / 19 | 9-6 | 8-7 | + - |
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Napier has been held out of the last three games due to an illness but is likely to face the 76ers on Thursday. |
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| Allen Crabbe (SG) | out for season | Knee - 15 / 03 / 19 | 9-8 | 8-9 | + - |
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Crabbe underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the season. |
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| Shabazz Napier (PG) | Ques Tues | Hamstring - 13 / 03 / 19 | 10-8 | 8-10 | + - |
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Napier has been absent from the lineup during the previous three games with tightness in his right hamstring. It is unknown whether he will return Tuesday against the Kings. |
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| DeMarre Carroll (SF) | Prob Sat | Knee - 11 / 03 / 19 | 10-9 | 8-11 | + - |
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Carroll missed the last game due to a hyperextended left knee but is likely to take the court against the Jazz on Saturday. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Monroe (C) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 29 / 04 / 19 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Monroe is battling a left ankle sprain but is likely to face the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Mike Scott (PF) | Prob Thurs | Heel - 23 / 04 / 19 | 5-3 | 2-6 | + - |
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Scott has sat out the last two contests while dealing with a right heel contusion and plantar fasciitis. It is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Raptors. |
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| Jonah Bolden (SF) | Prob Mon | Knee - 14 / 04 / 19 | 7-4 | 4-7 | + - |
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Bolden is hampered by left knee soreness and has an uncertain status for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Nets. |
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| Jimmy Butler (SG) | Prob Sat | Back - 10 / 04 / 19 | 8-5 | 6-7 | + - |
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Butler is saddled with lower-back tightness but is expected to suit up against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Tobias Harris (SF) | Out Wed | Rest - 10 / 04 / 19 | 8-5 | 6-7 | + - |
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Harris will not take the court for Wednesday's contest against the Bulls as he will be given the day to rest. |
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| Jonah Bolden (SF) | Ques Sat | Knee - 09 / 04 / 19 | 9-5 | 6-8 | + - |
|
Bolden is nursing left knee soreness and it is unclear if he will suit up in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Nets. |
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| Mike Scott (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 09 / 04 / 19 | 9-5 | 6-8 | + - |
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Scott was held out of the previous game due to lower-back tightness, but it is not expected to impede his status for Wednesday's clash with the Bulls. |
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| Jonah Bolden (SF) | Prob Tues | Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 | 9-5 | 6-8 | + - |
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Bolden is hobbled by a sore left knee but is projected to face the Heat on Tuesday. |
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| JJ Redick (SG) | Prob Sat | Back - 08 / 04 / 19 | 9-5 | 6-8 | + - |
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Redick is experiencing tightness in his back and also has a left quadriceps contusion. It is expected that he will play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| JJ Redick (SG) | Prob Thurs | Quadricep - 04 / 04 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-8 | + - |
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Reddick is dealing with a left quadriceps contusion and it is unknown if he will play against the Bucks on Thursday. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 12 Apr 1:53pm BK -8 -110 O +232 -110 Closing 13 Apr 6:35pm BK -7.5 -110 O +228 -110 -
Injuries
Ed Davis (C)
Out Tues Ankle - 18 / 04 / 19Ed Davis (C)
Prob Mon Ankle - 14 / 04 / 19Jared Dudley (SF)
Prob Thurs Calf - 14 / 04 / 19Joe Harris (SF)
Prob Sat Foot - 09 / 04 / 19DeMarre Carroll (SF)
Prob Sat Wrist - 07 / 04 / 19Treveon Graham (SF)
Ques Thurs Shoulder - 28 / 03 / 19Shabazz Napier (PG)
Prob Thurs Illness - 19 / 03 / 19Allen Crabbe (SG)
out for season Knee - 15 / 03 / 19Shabazz Napier (PG)
Ques Tues Hamstring - 13 / 03 / 19DeMarre Carroll (SF)
Prob Sat Knee - 11 / 03 / 19Greg Monroe (C)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 29 / 04 / 19Mike Scott (PF)
Prob Thurs Heel - 23 / 04 / 19Jonah Bolden (SF)
Prob Mon Knee - 14 / 04 / 19Jimmy Butler (SG)
Prob Sat Back - 10 / 04 / 19Tobias Harris (SF)
Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 19Jonah Bolden (SF)
Ques Sat Knee - 09 / 04 / 19Mike Scott (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 09 / 04 / 19Jonah Bolden (SF)
Prob Tues Knee - 08 / 04 / 19JJ Redick (SG)
Prob Sat Back - 08 / 04 / 19JJ Redick (SG)
Prob Thurs Quadricep - 04 / 04 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Ed Davis (C) Out Tues Ankle - 18 / 04 / 19 0-3 2-1 + - Davis has a right ankle sprain and will not be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Ed Davis (C) Prob Mon Ankle - 14 / 04 / 19 1-3 2-2 + - Davis suffered a sprained right ankle but is likely to be ready for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Jared Dudley (SF) Prob Thurs Calf - 14 / 04 / 19 1-3 2-2 + - Dudley is bothered by right calf tightness but is likely to be available for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Joe Harris (SF) Prob Sat Foot - 09 / 04 / 19 3-3 2-4 + - Harris is dealing with right foot soreness but it is likely he will play against the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
DeMarre Carroll (SF) Prob Sat Wrist - 07 / 04 / 19 4-3 3-4 + - Carroll has a right wrist sprain but it is expected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Treveon Graham (SF) Ques Thurs Shoulder - 28 / 03 / 19 6-6 6-6 + - Graham is experiencing soreness in his left shoulder and it is unknown if he will suit up against the 76ers on Thursday.
Shabazz Napier (PG) Prob Thurs Illness - 19 / 03 / 19 9-6 8-7 + - Napier has been held out of the last three games due to an illness but is likely to face the 76ers on Thursday.
Allen Crabbe (SG) out for season Knee - 15 / 03 / 19 9-8 8-9 + - Crabbe underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Shabazz Napier (PG) Ques Tues Hamstring - 13 / 03 / 19 10-8 8-10 + - Napier has been absent from the lineup during the previous three games with tightness in his right hamstring. It is unknown whether he will return Tuesday against the Kings.
DeMarre Carroll (SF) Prob Sat Knee - 11 / 03 / 19 10-9 8-11 + - Carroll missed the last game due to a hyperextended left knee but is likely to take the court against the Jazz on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Greg Monroe (C) Prob Thurs Ankle - 29 / 04 / 19 3-3 2-4 + - Monroe is battling a left ankle sprain but is likely to face the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Mike Scott (PF) Prob Thurs Heel - 23 / 04 / 19 5-3 2-6 + - Scott has sat out the last two contests while dealing with a right heel contusion and plantar fasciitis. It is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Raptors.
Jonah Bolden (SF) Prob Mon Knee - 14 / 04 / 19 7-4 4-7 + - Bolden is hampered by left knee soreness and has an uncertain status for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Nets.
Jimmy Butler (SG) Prob Sat Back - 10 / 04 / 19 8-5 6-7 + - Butler is saddled with lower-back tightness but is expected to suit up against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Tobias Harris (SF) Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 19 8-5 6-7 + - Harris will not take the court for Wednesday's contest against the Bulls as he will be given the day to rest.
Jonah Bolden (SF) Ques Sat Knee - 09 / 04 / 19 9-5 6-8 + - Bolden is nursing left knee soreness and it is unclear if he will suit up in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Nets.
Mike Scott (PF) Prob Wed Back - 09 / 04 / 19 9-5 6-8 + - Scott was held out of the previous game due to lower-back tightness, but it is not expected to impede his status for Wednesday's clash with the Bulls.
Jonah Bolden (SF) Prob Tues Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 9-5 6-8 + - Bolden is hobbled by a sore left knee but is projected to face the Heat on Tuesday.
JJ Redick (SG) Prob Sat Back - 08 / 04 / 19 9-5 6-8 + - Redick is experiencing tightness in his back and also has a left quadriceps contusion. It is expected that he will play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
JJ Redick (SG) Prob Thurs Quadricep - 04 / 04 / 19 9-7 8-8 + - Reddick is dealing with a left quadriceps contusion and it is unknown if he will play against the Bucks on Thursday.