Nuggets vs. 76ers prediction and odds for Saturday, January 28
Who is the best center in the NBA? Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid. Right now, Jokic is the favorite to win his third straight MVP award, and Embiid, who has been the runner up each of the last two years, has the third best odds.
They’ll do battle today in Philadelphia… probably. The only problem is that both Jokic and Embiid are listed as day-to-day with injuries. Hopefully, they’ll both take the floor today, for the 34-15 Denver Nuggets, the No. 1 seed in the west against the 31-16 No. 2 seed in the east, Philadelphia 76ers.
Let’s take a look at the odds for the Nuggets and Sixers in Philadelphia today.
Nuggets vs. 76ers odds, spread and total
Nuggets vs. 76ers prediction and pick
On Wednesday, the 76ers hosted Brooklyn, so Embiid made sure to get out on the floor and did everything he could to embarrass Ben Simmons. Embiid ended up with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but he might’ve been a little too geared up to go at his former teammate. He only shot 6-18 from the floor and aggressively attacked Simmons anytime he got him in a switch.
Luckily, Embiid went 13-13 from the free throw line or it would’ve been a rough game and likely a disappointing loss. There’s a chance that Embiid will have that same energy tonight against Jokic and that’s an even worse idea than it was against Simmons.
Jokic missed last game against Milwaukee, a 107-99 loss, but he’s listed as probable to play tonight and is one of the most durable players in the NBA. I expect him to take the floor and if he does, then he’ll be the best player out there. The other question for the Nuggets is Jamal Murray. He’s questionable with a left hip sprain, that might be too many question marks for me to trust the Nuggets. What I think I can trust is some defense.
Right now, the NBA is in the middle of a scoring explosion, the Sixers 137-133 win over Brooklyn this week is a prime example of that, but the under is 5-1 in Denver’s last six overall. Over the past 10 games, Denver is second in defensive efficiency and over the course of the whole season, Philly is top 10.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change
