NBA: Sacramento Kings vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Sacramento Kings did a good job against the Celtics, and they are now moving on to Philly to face the Philadelphia 76ers. Luke Walton’s guys improved over the past two games, but it is still early to claim that they might be back in the playoff race. Meanwhile, the 76ers lost at home to the Milwaukee Bucks, that being their first loss after six consecutive wins. This will be the last game at home before a six-game road trip, which will be a true test for this crew and its qualities without Joel Embiid.

Preview

Sacramento Kings (17-24, +200) routed the Celtics at TD Garden, 107-96, limiting the hosts to just 15 points in the final period, and winning that part of the game, 25-25. It was a very intense match, during which we finally saw some winning mentality coming from Sacramento’s side.

Richaun Holmes was the hero for the Kings, as the big man scored 25 points with 11 boards, three blocks and two steals, hitting 10 of his 12 shots from the foul line. De’Aaron Fox added 29 with five dimes, while Buddy Hield finally woke up, dropping 6 threes, 22 points in total.

This was the second straight win of the Kings, who would previously defeat the Washington Wizards in DC, 121-119, in one more thrilling and challenging contest. After the game against the 76ers, Walton’s guys have a meeting with the Cavs in Cleveland, meaning that they might make this tour through the East a successful one.

Philadelphia 76ers (28-13, -200) would lose to the Milwaukee Bucks in the previous match, 109-105, but only after overtime. Joel Embiid’s absence was obvious in the game’s critical moments, as Philly struggled to preserve its advantage in the final period.

Embiid would give the 76ers a low-post game, and not just that; he would disturb the defense and, what is more important, keep the ball in his possession, wasting time. With all due respect Dwight Howard, Tony Bradley, and all the rest aren’t even near Embiid in these situations.

Ben Simmons had a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 boards. Tobias Harris had a team-high 19 points, but in the clutch moments, he wasn’t present, while Seth Curry scored just 10 buckets. Danny Green added 18, all by making six threes from 14 attempts.

Head to Head Games

The first meeting took place in Sacramento on February 9, and the 76ers defeated the hosts, 119-111. Embiid was dominating the court with 25 points, 17 boards, and six assists, being the focal figure in the 76ers’ late run that secured them a win. Seth Curry scored 22 points, the same as Harris. Fox dropped 34 with 10 assists for the Kings; Hield had 21.

Prediction

With the line for the total number of points being set at 235.5, our choice here is under. Just see the 76ers’ matches without Embiid, both of them ended way under the proposed line, and it seems that Doc Rivers’ side struggles badly to develop its offense without the Process. On the other side, the Kings are playing second of back-to-back games, and a drop in their tempo is expected to occur. So, under 235.5 points is our choice.