The Philadelphia 76ers (23-21) will have their hands full against the NBA’s top scoring defense when they challenge the San Antonio Spurs (32-18) at AT&T Center. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 26, 2018, and will air on KENS-TV 5.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 205 points with San Antonio opening as a 3.5-point favorite.
Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs Free Prediction
The 76ers will be hoping for a similar result after topping the Chicago Bulls in their last outing, 115-101. Philadelphia made 16 of their 32 three pointers (50.0 percent). Chicago, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (9.6 vs. 13.5). Ben Simmons played an enormous role in the victory for Philadelphia, registering 19 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists on his way to his fourth triple-double of the season.
The last time the Spurs played, they won big over the Memphis Grizzlies, 108-85. The Spurs made 22 of their 25 free throws (88.0 percent), while the Grizzlies had a turnover percentage of 16.0 (above their season average of 12.9). With 14 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, Pau Gasol had a good performance for San Antonio.
Points could be at a premium in this meeting between a pair of the NBA’s best defenses. San Antonio ranks second in defensive efficiency (101.1) and Philadelphia is third (103.2). Opposite styles will be on display in this showdown. The fast-breaking 76ers rank second in possessions per game, while the more methodical Spurs rank 29th.
Philadelphia holds records of 23-21 straight up (SU) and 25-19 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the 76ers’ games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, San Antonio is 32-18 SU and 26-20-4 ATS. Games involving the Spurs have a tendency to finish under the projected point total (58.0 percent).
Dario Saric has averaged 15.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Philadelphia.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Joel Embiid had 21 points and 11 rebounds and the 76ers beat the Spurs 112-106, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 218 points, which was 10 points above the projected point total of 208 points. The 76ers knocked down 33 of their 43 free throws (76.7 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (11.6 vs. 13.4).
Philadelphia 76ers vs. San Antonio Spurs Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – 76ers, ATS Winner – 76ers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Philadelphia is 12-11 ATS with 14 overs and 9 unders.
At home, San Antonio is 16-6-1 ATS with 12 overs and 11 unders.
Philadelphia is 8-0 when they allow below 100 points, while San Antonio is 21-9.
When reaching the century mark, the Spurs are 25-3 and the 76ers are 21-14.
San Antonio ranks first in blocks allowed per game (3.5) while Philadelphia ranks 23rd (5.3).
The Spurs rank 11th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.5) while the 76ers rank last (19.7).
Philadelphia ranks ninth in points in the paint per game (46.8) while San Antonio ranks 26th (41.5).
The 76ers rank third in assists per game (25.9) while the Spurs rank 19th (22.2).
Philadelphia ranks 14th in three pointers attempted per game (29.2) while San Antonio ranks 26th (24.4).
The Spurs rank 18th in steals allowed per game (8.0) while the 76ers rank 29th (9.3).
Philadelphia averages 47.4 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the NBA. San Antonio ranks 10th in rebounds allowed per game (42.3).
The Spurs rank 13th in second chance points per game (12.7) while the 76ers rank 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
San Antonio is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The 76ers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.4, up from 1.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 98.2 points per game (2.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 92.4 points per game (5.0 below their season average).
