Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The Washington Wizards host the Philadelphia 76ers at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Philadelphia is 12-7 this season and sits fourth in the Eastern Conference. Washington is 3-16 and sits 14th in the Eastern Conference. Each team took home two wins in the four games played last season. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. EST.

76ers' Dominate on Offense

The Philadelphia 76ers are traveling to Washington after a loss last Friday to the Boston Celtics with a final score of 119-125. This is the second loss of their three-game road trip that's record is 0-2. The 76ers have been averaging 120.1 points per game this season, which makes them fourth overall in points per game. The 76ers have an amazing shooting percentage as they are ranked 11th in field goal shooting percentage at seventh in three-pointer shooting percentage. Their top stat on offense however is how they shoot at the free throw line as they are second in the league at free throw shooting percentage. When Philadelphia does miss the net they are recovering well with their offensive rebounds placing them seventh overall.

Defensively they are playing well too averaging 113.1 points against per game. Much like their offensive rebounds, Philadelphia is ranked fifth in defensive rebounding this season. The 76ers are also defending well at the three point line with an opponent three pointer shooting percentage of only 35.9%, placing them ninth overall.

Wizards Missing Defense

The Washington Wizards are traveling back home after their loss last Friday to the Orlando Magic with a final score of 125-130. Washington is returning home after a road trip that finished with a record of 1-2. The Wizards are lacking defense this season as they are averaging 125.1 points per game against this season, the second worst in the NBA. They are at the bottom mainly due to their shooting defense. The Wizards' opponents are averaging a field goal shooting percentage of 50.4%, that is the worst opponent shooting percentage in the league. Washington is also 20th in opponent three pointer shooting percentage.

On the upside for the Wizards is their offense that is ranked seventh in the NBA in points per game at 116.8. It seems the Wizards are capable of scoring, their issues is they just end up outscored in most of their games. I think a major issue with both their offense and defense is their ability to rebound which is the worst in the league.

Best Bets

Full-Game Side Bet

Rating:

I am going to side with the 76ers on this one. If it wasn't for Washington's win against Detroit, who is worse than Washington, the Wizards would still be on a massive losing streak. The 76ers lost their last game to Boston who is the top team in the league. I am going to look at the 76ers to bounce back and put a lot of points against a terrible Washington defense. This should not be a close game in my opinion and is why I am taking Philadelphia with the points.

Take the 76ers with the points.

Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers -10 ( -112 )

Full-Game Total Pick

Rating:

I think the line is right on the money at 238 so we are going to have to pick a side on whether to go over or under by a point, and I am going to side with the over slightly in this one. I would have no issue teasing this total down to take the over but even then I still think this game can go over just from the amount of points both offenses produce. Washington despite their losses this season is averaging plenty of points and their defense will allow plenty in return to take this over. Not to mention Washington is the second most highly paced team in the NBA with 103.6 possessions per game.

I am taking the over at 238.5.

Prediction: Over 238.5 ( -112 )

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Anthony has always been surrounded by sports. Whether its watching the Penguins win the cup or the Steelers winning another ring, he saw what it took to win it all. He enjoys breaking down stats and applying them to spreadsheets to better his picks. With the combination of watching trends and his spreadsheets, Anthony has been very successful as a sports bettor. His last name is the German word for people and it is clear that he is the people's choice when it comes to handicapping.