Nets vs. 76ers Odds, Prediction: Game 5 NBA Playoffs
The Toronto Raptors are likely to win their Eastern Conference first-round series against the visiting Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, and the Raptors would face the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals if Philly ends its series against visiting Brooklyn in a tip one hour after Magic-Raptors.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
If the Nets can pull the upset Tuesday, Game 6 would be back in Brooklyn on Thursday. Raptors fans should be rooting for the Nets to extend the series because Philadelphia star centre Joel Embiid is playing on bad knees and the longer this series goes, the better it surely would be for Toronto’s chances against the 76ers. We’re just going to assume that Embiid plays Tuesday. He didn’t in Game 3 but returned in Game 4. He’s likely to be considered a game-time call again. Embiid was listed as questionable for Game 3 and doubtful for Game 4, so take whatever he’s listed as with a grain of salt.
On the updated series exact result, the 76ers finishing the job in five games is -357. Sixers in six is +500 with Nets in seven the +1800 long shot.
Brooklyn Nets
Off back-to-back losses, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson made a starting lineup change for Game 4, opting to go with Jared Dudley over rookie Rodions Kurucs (who didn’t even play). Didn’t work as the Nets lost 112-108 and Dudley had eight points in 20 minutes before being ejected following a fourth-quarter shoving match with Jimmy Butler, who was also tossed. Neither will be suspended.
Ironically, GM Sean Marks will be suspended for Game 5 because he went into the referee’s locker room after the loss because he was upset with some of the calls. The NBA admitted after the game that a foul should have been called on Philly’s Tobias Harris in the final seconds on Brooklyn’s Jarrett Allen. That no call might have cost the Nets the game. Brooklyn is 7-2 ATS in its past nine road games.
Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid was terrific in Game 4 with 31 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and six blocks. However, he also was called for a flagrant foul, which is what led to the Dudley/Butler skirmish. That gives Embiid two flagrant foul points. When a player gets four such points in the playoffs, he’s suspended for a game. Just something for Raptors fans to keep in mind for a potential second-round matchup.
Harris added 24 points in Game 4 and Ben Simmons, who has become Public Enemy No. 1 to Nets fans, had 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Philly has covered four of its past five games vs. Brooklyn.
BK
PHI