They’re short on warm bodies, but the Philadelphia 76ers have betting value for your Tuesday NBA picks when they visit the Utah Jazz.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Utah Jazz
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 – 10:00 PM EST at Vivint Arena
The Philadelphia 76ers (8-6 SU, 7-7 ATS) have seen better days. With their list of missing personnel getting longer by the minute, the Sixers have dropped four straight games SU and ATS, and they’ll be up against it this Tuesday when they visit the Utah Jazz (8-5 SU, 7-6 ATS).
However, the Jazz has also lost four of their last five ATS, and they’re way too chalky to belong in your NBA picks after opening as 9-point favorites at PointsBet.
Maxey Burger
The Sixers have been counting the days until Joel Embiid (COVID-19 protocols) clears quarantine and rejoins the lineup. The earliest he can return is this Thursday.
Embiid’s impact on this team is so big, the old-school concept of betting on the team with the missing superstar might not apply here, even though Andre Drummond has played reasonably – and somewhat surprisingly – well in his absence.
But what about two missing superstars? Ben Simmons continues to sit out for Philly; again, Tyrese Maxey has stepped up and delivered on some of his promises as a late first-round pick in 2020.
The trick here will be whether Matisse Thybulle makes his return to the backcourt Tuesday night after completing his own quarantine. Conditioning might be an issue, but between Maxey’s offense and Thybulle’s defense, the Sixers won’t be missing Simmons all that much.
There’s one other problem to keep an eye on, though. Danny Green, the player Philly fans love to hate, left Saturday’s 118-113 loss to the Indiana Pacers (–4 at home) with a tight hamstring, and is considered questionable for Tuesday.
Loathed though he may be, Green remains one of the best 3-and-D wings in the league – and after all, we’re talking about the same fan base that booed Santa Claus.
My Left Foot
What’s happened with the Jazz is a little less clear. Their early-season success may have been a case of small sample size, or strength of schedule, or both – they did beat up on weaklings like Houston, Sacramento, and Oklahoma City, and lost to Miami (twice) and Chicago, but also Indiana and Orlando.
The good work Hassan Whiteside did as Rudy Gobert’s new back-up has certainly disappeared during this mini-slump; getting Rudy Gay (left heel) in the rotation should help, although his minutes will likely be restricted if he plays at all following a full practice with the team on Monday.
In sum, the NBA odds don’t appear to have taken account of Utah’s recent misery, while over-stating the absence of Embiid and others for the Sixers.
This looks like a good spot for a contrarian wager on the underdogs, so keep an eye on the morning shoot-around to see who’s available, and bet accordingly.
NBA Pick: 76ers +9 (–110) at PointsBet
