NBA Odds: Warriors-76ers prediction, odds and pick

Golden State Warriors take on the Philadelphia 76ers in an inter-conference showdown on Friday.

Golden State Warriors have struggled since the start of the season. Stephen Curry is expected to miss close to a month with a shoulder injury.

The 76ers entered the season with high expectations. They have come out slow at first but are now on a three-game winning streak. Their record is 15-12, which is the fifth-best in the east.

Stephen Curry is out for at least a month. Andrew Wiggins is injured. The Warriors are 8.5-point underdogs. Jordan Poole will be key for the Warriors. The team has to find a way to stop Joel Embiid down low. They have to cover the spread. It's unlikely they will do it. Golden State won't be able to do that. There are some unlikely heroes who could step up for them.

The 76ers are 10-5 and playing well. Golden State is 2-13 as visitors.

The key to covering the spread for the Sixers is to get James Harden feeling more comfortable in his return from a strained tendon in the foot. Since returning from his foot ailment, Harden has looked like his old self with back-to-back games of at least 15 points and assists.

The Warriors don't stand a chance in their first game without Stephen Curry. Joel Embiid is averaging a league-best 39.2 PPG since Dec. 2nd.