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Edgar Chaput
Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction, NBA Odds
This game sounded like a good idea at the time when the schedule makers awarded this to ABC on a Saturday night. Alas, neither the Golden State Warriors nor the Philadelphia 76ers have done as much as one would hope to garner excitement. Even so, the Warriors are in far better position, jostling for a playoff spot in the West. They were in Orlando to play the Magic on Thursday and won 121-115. The 76ers were last in action on Wednesday against the New York Knicks and fell 110-105.
Our NBA odds see the visiting Warriors as -7.5 favourites, with the total set at 225.5 points.
Warriors vs. 76ers NBA Betting Odds
Golden State has a good run going versus Philadelphia, posting a four-game winning streak dating to March 2023. Furthermore, none of those matches was especially close, with an eight-point victory in March 2023 as the lone contest decided by single digits.
Say what one will of the Warriors this season, one thing is for sure: it’s been a roller coaster ride. From looking like the dominant club of yesteryear during the first weeks of the campaign, to looking like shadows of their former selves, to winning five in a row – straight up – and seven of eight. If the purpose of the Jimmy Butler trade was to inject that ill-defined “energy” into the roster, it seems to be working. That said, disappointment is felt when looking at their ATS tally, a decent if unmemorable 31-27-1. Speaking of Butler, he’s currently listed as day-to-day (back spasms).
In the 76ers’ case, 2024-25 hasn’t been a roller coaster ride. It’s a disaster. The exclamation point? Joel Embiid is done for the season as he and the club look for answers to repair his perennially weakened knee. But he hardly played at all this season and, as such, there has been ample evidence of what the team looks like without him and, well, it’s not good. The saving grace is that the Chicago Bulls – currently 10th – are not exactly a solid bet to hang on for the final play-in spot, so who knows. Don’t look for encouragement in the ATS numbers: Philly is 21-37.
Golden State Warriors
Thursday match in Orlando was a reminder of what the Warriors’ glory days were like. It didn’t matter what the opposition threw at them, nor the first half deficit. Golden State’s firepower – namely, Stephen Curry – was up to the task.
The host Magic led by as many as 17 at one point, but in today’s NBA and when tasked with slowing down a confident Curry, that was never going to be enough. The chef finished with 56 points off 16-for-25 shooting, most notably 12-for-19 from beyond the arc. He was on fire and nobody wearing Magic colours was going to stop him.
In fact, the player on the team who finished second in points was little known centre Quinton Post (rookie), who netted 18 off the bench. This was all about Curry magic, no pun intended.
Philadelphia 76ers
On Wednesday, the 76ers travelled to the Big Apple to face an all too familiar foe in the Knicks. Although the stakes were not as high as during last spring’s first round playoff series, the quality of the game nearly measured up.
Frankly, down by 16 at the halftime break and considering how poor the team has been, one would have thought Philly would pack it in. Not so. Led by Tyrese Maxey’s 30 points, Paul George’s 25, and Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 27, Philly took a late fourth quarter lead! Alas, it was not meant to be, as the Knicks took care of business, if barely, handing Philadelphia a painful 110-105 defeat. This was certainly a case of “coulda, woulda, shoulda.”
GS
PHI