NBA 2022/23, on Wednesday, 23.11.2022
In the shadow of the 2022 World Cup, the lopsided NBA game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets takes place – and that’s exactly why I’ll place a bet on it. Because the home side is missing a lot of key players shortly before tip-off.
In my 76ers Nets tip, I will not only go into who they are. I will also explain why things could slowly but steadily be looking up for the New Yorkers.
Just a few days ago, Joel Embiid soared to the basket and made NBA history against the Jazz with 59 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. This was the seventh best individual performance of all time.
With three wins from the last four NBA games, one could also think that the Sixers were on the rise, but far from it. Because like a rollercoaster ride, things could go rapidly downhill starting tonight.
In a nutshell, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey are missing two key players, who will now be joined by Joel Embiid. The 76ers superstar, of all people, has just suffered a minor foot injury that will force him to miss two games.
The Sixers will host the Nets without their three best players, which makes the question of who the favourites are superfluous. Brooklyn has had a suboptimal start, but at least the key players are in good health.
What’s more, even the players who have not been convincing until recently seem to be in top form again shortly before the top match. In the game against the Grizzlies, Ben Simmons scored 22 points, his best game of the season in a black-and-white jersey.
We remember: Ben Simmons moved from Philadelphia to New York last year in a monster trade – which also included James Harden. This presents an ideal opportunity for the Australian to get back at his ex-team.
While the Sixers are in for a tough week due to significant injuries, the Nets could steadily work their way up the standings between now and Christmas – at least the conditions would be there.
Because apart from the fact that Simmons just played his best game for the Nets, Kyrie Irving also celebrated his comeback in the game against the Grizzlies – the result? A convincing 127-115 win against a really strong team.
Irving scored 14 points after all, but more than his offensive contribution it was his excellent ball handling that gave the New Yorkers the calmness and overview in the build-up to the game that they had still lacked during his suspension.
I thought long and hard about making a more daring handicap bet on the Nets. After all, the imbalance of power could hardly be greater tonight. In the end, though, I went back to the preseason …
Because both franchises already met during the preseason and although the Nets were in their best line-up, the Sixers managed to celebrate a commanding 127-108 victory in New York completely without Harden and Embiid.
I have a lot of respect for the 76ers’ bench players, but this time it’s made even more difficult by the fact that the “Man of the Match” at the time, Tyrese Maxey – as already mentioned – is now out as well.
The best sports betting providers are currently focusing on the World Cup, of course, on the occasion of which World Cup free bets are offered, among other things. However, we help readers separate the wheat from the chaff.
A good omen for my 76ers Nets tip is the fact that the New Yorkers have already won their last two NBA games in Philadelphia.
This also makes it clear once again that one should not attach too much importance to the aforementioned preseason game at the beginning of the season. After all, test matches and competitive matches are two different pairs of shoes in basketball.
On the other hand, as far as the role of favourites in the markets is concerned, it need not surprise anyone that the Sixers, who are acutely short of replacements, go into the race as underdogs. After all, the New Yorkers’ odds of victory are lower and – depending on the exact provider – amount to around 1.30.
Summary: The Nets have hardly been able to make their fans ecstatic so far, but shortly before the end of the month luck seems to want to play into their cards.
Ben Simmons just had his best performance of the season, while his teammate Kyrie Irving finally celebrated his comeback in the game against the Grizzlies.
For the Sixers, on the other hand, the three pillars of the home side’s game – Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Ben Simmons – are all out at the same time for the first time this season.
My 76ers Nets tip is therefore: The New Yorkers win!
