Last year the 76ers were ripped as an underachieving team. Perhaps that label was a bit too strong. Injuries decimated the 76ers for much of the 2019-20 campaign. Consider Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons missing considerable chunks of time. However, the breaking point came in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. To illuminate, the 76ers were swept by the Boston Celtics 4-0 in the opening round. That lackluster betting on NBA Games performance cost head coach Brett Brown his job. Brown was never considered an elite coach. Despite the undeniable fact that he improved the team.
2020-21 Philadelphia 76ers 2021 NBA Playoffs Analysis
| 76ers | Odds |
|---|---|
| NBA Championship Odds: | +800 |
| Eastern Conference Odds: | +300 |
Philadelphia 76ers By the Record Book
Philadelphia compiled a sportsbook record of 49-23 straight up, 38-31-3 against the spread, and 34-38 over/under. Top seed in the Eastern Conference was their reward. As a result, the 76ers have home court advantage for all three rounds of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. NBA metrics show the 76ers ranked 14th for scoring offense and 6th for points allowed. Philadelphia awaits the Eastern Conference play-in tournament to see who their first-round opponent will be.
Against the spread in 2020-21, the 76ers covered 61% of their home games. Following a loss, Philadelphia paid 59% of the time in their next match. As away favorites, the 76ers covered 59% of their matchups. Overall, as chalk, Philadelphia covered 57% of their games in that situation. And then as road dogs, the 76ers covered only 25% of their games.
To summarize, the 76ers went over the total in 57% of their home games this season. Specifically, on the road, the 76ers cleared the total only 36% of the time. As chalk, Philadelphia went over the total in just 44% of their matchups.
A Coach with Credibility
Namely, Doc Rivers is an NBA lifer. He played in the Association from 1983 through 1996 and then has been a coach since 1999. Subsequently, in 2008 Rivers led the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship. Also, Boston won the Eastern Conference championship in 2010. Rivers has a career record of 991-704 in the regular season and is 91-89 in the NBA Playoffs. It follows that Rivers commands the respect of any locker room that he enters.
Key 76ers Players
Fifth-year center Joel Embiid is coming off a career season with the 76ers. To illuminate, Embiid averaged a team-best of 28.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Embiid is coming off his fourth consecutive All-Star season.
Ben Simmons is the ultimate NBA Swiss Knife as a point guard and power forward. Consequently, Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game, which is indicative of his versatility. Simmons is coming off his third consecutive All-Star season.
Forward Tobias Harris doesn’t get mentioned as frequently as Embiid and Simmons. But maybe he should. Harris averaged 19.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season. The veteran was a first round pick of the 2011 NBA Draft out of Tennessee. Last season, Harris arrived at the 76ers camp and solidified the top three.
Philadelphia 76ers 2021 NBA Playoffs Prospects
On the whole, the 76ers should be the betting on NBA Games favorite. Brooklyn is the top challenger. But the Nets have been dealing with frequent injury problems. To conclude, Doc Rivers is the difference-making coach.
Philadelphia 76ers 2021 NBA Playoffs SBG Best Bet: Philadelphia 76ers to Win Eastern Conference