The Philadelphia 76ers at times this season have looked like the NBA’s best team and at others as championship frauds. Which club will show up Monday against visiting Oklahoma City?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

When the Oklahoma City Thunder traded All-Stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook this off-season largely for young players (other than Chris Paul) and draft picks, it was expected that OKC would be one of the Western Conference’s worst teams and that Billy Donovan might be the first NBA coach fired this season. Instead, the Thunder are battling for a playoff spot as Donovan has done a fine job and young point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (who came from the Clippers in the George deal), a Toronto native, has become a rising star. OKC likely will still be a seller ahead of the trade deadline, though.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, has arguably the best starting five in the East led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but the 76ers have been wildly inconsistent and there is some reported discord in the locker room over a lack of effort at times.

This wraps up the season series between the 76ers and Thunder. Philly lost in OKC on Nov. 15, 127-119 in overtime. Danilo Gallinari, one Thunder veteran who seems likely to be dealt, had 28 points (seven in OT) and Paul, whom the Thunder would love to deal but probably can’t because of his huge contract, had 27 points. Gilgeous-Alexander had 24. Oklahoma City shot 53.9 per cent from the field. Embiid had 31 points and 12 rebounds for Philly and Simmons 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists before fouling out in OT.

The Thunder are 5-1 against the spread (ATS) in the past six meetings. The under is 5-1 in those.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City won its fifth straight game Saturday, 121-106 in Cleveland. Dennis Schroder, a Sixth Man of the Year candidate (and another player the team would like to trade), had 22 points off the bench and Alexander 20 points and seven rebounds. Steven Adams chipped in 10 points and 16 rebounds. Reserve big man Nerlens Noel left with a sprained ankle and will not play Monday. He averages 7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per night. After losing their first six road games, the Thunder have won eight of their previous 11 away. They are 7-1 ATS in their past eight as a rod underdog.

Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia is simply a different team away from home and not in a good way. It lost a fourth in a row, all on the road, Friday in Houston 118-108. It’s the team’s longest losing streak since a five-game skid in December 2017. Simmons had his third triple-double of the season with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Embiid returned after missing a game and had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Reserve James Ennis was out with an illness. Philadelphia has averaged 104 points per 100 possessions during the losing streak. That would be near the bottom of the league over a full season. The Sixers really lack a 3-point shooter to stretch the defence. Philadelphia is 1-4-1 ATS in its past six after a loss.

Who Will Win Thunder vs. 76ers?

Injuries

Oklahoma City

Deonte Burton (PG)

Ques Wed Illness - 24 / 08 / 20

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Mon Knee - 22 / 08 / 20

Abdel Nader (SF)

Prob Tues Neck - 16 / 08 / 20

Luguentz Dort (SG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20

Danilo Gallinari (SF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20

Nerlens Noel (C)

Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20

Andre Roberson (SG)

Ques Mon Foot - 09 / 08 / 20

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Wed Leg - 07 / 08 / 20

Terrance Ferguson (SG)

Ques Fri Leg - 03 / 08 / 20

Mike Muscala (PF)

Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20

Philadelphia

Tobias Harris (SF)

day-to-day Head - 23 / 08 / 20

Alec Burks (SG)

Ques Fri Foot - 12 / 08 / 20

Glenn Robinson III (SF)

Early Sept Oblique - 12 / 08 / 20

Tobias Harris (SF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20

Al Horford (C)

Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Josh Richardson (SG)

Out Tues Rest - 10 / 08 / 20

Furkan Korkmaz (SG)

Ques Sun Finger - 08 / 08 / 20

Kyle O'Quinn (C)

Prob Wed Personal - 03 / 08 / 20

Raul Neto (PG)

Prob Sat Back - 26 / 07 / 20

Glenn Robinson III (SF)

Prob Sun Hip - 26 / 07 / 20

Injuries

Oklahoma City

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Deonte Burton (PG)	Ques Wed	Illness - 24 / 08 / 20	3-1	2-2	+ -
Burton is ailing from a stomach illness, and it is unclear if he will fight it off in time for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Mon	Knee - 22 / 08 / 20	3-2	2-3	+ -
Adams has a bruised right knee but is expected to be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets.
Abdel Nader (SF)	Prob Tues	Neck - 16 / 08 / 20	3-4	3-4	+ -
Nader is battling a neck injury, but it is expected that he will play versus the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets.
Luguentz Dort (SG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 12 / 08 / 20	4-5	5-4	+ -
Dort suffered a right knee sprain, but it is anticipated that he will participate in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets.
Danilo Gallinari (SF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20	5-5	6-4	+ -
Gallinari was absent from the lineup during the last game due to a left ankle injury, but it is expected that he will be in Wednesday's lineup against the Heat.
Nerlens Noel (C)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-5	+ -
Noel missed his second straight game with a sore right ankle, but he is projected to be active against the Heat on Wednesday.
Andre Roberson (SG)	Ques Mon	Foot - 09 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-5	+ -
Roberson sat out the previous game due to a sore right foot, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Suns on Monday.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Wed	Leg - 07 / 08 / 20	6-6	6-6	+ -
Adams has sat out the past three games with a left lower-leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will return to action Wednesday versus the Heat.
Terrance Ferguson (SG)	Ques Fri	Leg - 03 / 08 / 20	7-7	7-7	+ -
Ferguson has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games due to a right lower-leg contusion, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status for Friday's matchup with the Grizzlies.
Mike Muscala (PF)	Prob Sun	Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20	7-7	7-7	+ -
Muscala has cleared the league's concussion protocol, and will likely make his return to the lineup Sunday against the Wizards.

Philadelphia

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tobias Harris (SF)	day-to-day	Head - 23 / 08 / 20	0-1	0-1	+ -
Harris left Sunday's game due to a head injury, and it is unclear if he will return.
Alec Burks (SG)	Ques Fri	Foot - 12 / 08 / 20	2-4	3-3	+ -
Burks was held out of the previous game due to left foot soreness, and it has yet to be established if he will take the court versus the Rockets on Frdiay.
Glenn Robinson III (SF)	Early Sept	Oblique - 12 / 08 / 20	2-4	3-3	+ -
Robinson III is battling an oblique muscle strain, and he is likely to be out until at least the beginning of September.
Tobias Harris (SF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Harris sat out the last game due to a sore right ankle, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Al Horford (C)	Prob Wed	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Horford missed the previous game with a sore left knee, but it is likely that he will be available Wednesday versus the Raptors.
Josh Richardson (SG)	Out Tues	Rest - 10 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Richardson will not suit up Tuesday against the Suns due to a day of rest.
Furkan Korkmaz (SG)	Ques Sun	Finger - 08 / 08 / 20	3-5	4-4	+ -
Korkmaz is bothered by a left finger sprain, and his status for Sunday's matchup with the Trail Blazers in unknown.
Kyle O'Quinn (C)	Prob Wed	Personal - 03 / 08 / 20	3-8	6-5	+ -
O'Quinn was held out of the last game after missing a COVID-19 test. It is not expected to affect his status for Wednesday's matchup with the Wizards.
Raul Neto (PG)	Prob Sat	Back - 26 / 07 / 20	3-8	6-5	+ -
Neto is experiencing tightness in his lower back, but it is unlikely to impede his status for Saturday's tilt versus the Pacers.
Glenn Robinson III (SF)	Prob Sun	Hip - 26 / 07 / 20	3-8	6-5	+ -
Robinson III has missed the previous four games due to a left hip pointer, but he is expected to return to action Sunday against the Trail Blazers.