NBA playoff preview and tips: Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers
The NBA playoffs get underway on Saturday night as Philadelphia 76ers welcome Brooklyn Nets to the Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia 76ers have the advantage of opening this quarter-final series on their own court, in a matchup where most NBA bettors expect Philly to advance in straightforward fashion.
The 76ers laid down their marker in a 134-105 beatdown of the Nets on the final day of the season. Both sides opted to rest their key players for the encounter, which showed us which group has more depth.
Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and former Net James Harden will return to the court for the hosts who are looking to build on their stellar 29-12 home record.
The Nets season hasn't gone the way many expected, nor have the last few years. Despite enduring two rebuilds and losing their star power, they look like a more solid unit.
Brooklyn can't be considered a serious playoff contender, especially having been paired against Philly in the first round, but their 45-37 record is a respectable one and they have the weapons to make a fist of this series.
The visitors should struggle to penetrate this Philly defence, currently holding teams to 109 points per game at home, but they might be able to do damage with their perimeter shooting.
The concern for Brooklyn in trying to keep this series close is that they just lack any presence on defence. No one on their roster will be able to slow down Joel Embiid, who should also dominate the rebounds.
The Nets are 5-2ATS in their last seven games as a road underdog. It's a small sample size, but what makes the trend so relevant is it covers a good amount of their road games since Kevin Durant was traded.
Despite being undervalued since KD departed, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson have combined to provide their new side with 42 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists, helping them stay competitive.
This series is likely to be wrapped up inside six games but it figures Brooklyn's spirit will be harder to break in the first of those.
Standout Trends
The Nets are 14-3ATS in their last 17 road games against a team winning 60% of home games.
The Nets are 19-7ATS after allowing 125+ points in their previous game.
The 76ers are 1-4ATS in their last five home games against the Nets.
The 76ers have won five of the last six meetings between the sides.
