Updated Nets vs 76ers Series Price After Game 3: Sixers Listed as -600 Favorite
By Robert Duff in NBA Basketball
Updated: March 24, 2020 at 1:44 pm EDTPublished:
- The Philadelphia 76ers have won two straight games from the Brooklyn Nets
- The Sixers have averaged 138 points per game in their two victories
- Philadelphia is now listed as -600 favorites to win this first-round NBA playoff set
Are the Philadelphia 76ers finally figuring out how to piece their many sensational parts together? And if so, should the rest of the NBA start to worry?
The Sixers haven’t just won two straight playoff series from the Brooklyn Nets, they’ve obliterated the Nets. Game 2 produced a 145-123 triumph. Heading to the Barclays Center for Game 3, Philadelphia rolled Brooklyn again to the tune of 131-115.
The 76ers have three 25-point scorers (Simmons, Harris, Redick) in a playoff game for the 1st time since Game 3 of the 1978 Conference Semis vs the Knicks.
That night, it was Julius Erving, George McGinnis and World B. Free. That's the only other instance in the last 50 seasons. pic.twitter.com/HweUR94l2Y
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 19, 2019
Talk about dominance. That’s two wins by an average margin of 19 points per game, while pouring in an average of 138 ppg. No wonder the 76ers are now -600 favorites to win the series.
Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers Series Odds
| Teams | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn Nets | +400 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -600 |
*Odds taken April 19
The Sixers haven’t lost a playoff series in which they held a lead since 2008-09. The Nets are 1-4 in their last five postseason series.
Is It All Coming Together for Sixers?
Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were already in place and during the season, the Sixers added Jimmy Butler and Tobias Haris to their starting five. But due to injuries, they were able to start them together for just 10 regular-season games, going 8-2.
Ben Simmons (31 PTS, 11-13 FGM) becomes the first @sixers player to score 30+ points on better than 80% shooting in a #NBAPlayoffs game! #SAPStatLineOfTheNight pic.twitter.com/al1Baaku85
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) April 19, 2019
Perhaps the most worrisome aspect for opponents of the Game 2 rout was that Embiid (left knee injury) didn’t play and yet the 76ers were firing on all cylinders.
76ers star Joel Embiid (knee) is out for Game 3 against the Nets in Brooklyn.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 18, 2019
Talent-wise, when all are healthy, Philadelphia may possess the deepest starting five this side of the Golden State Warriors. The Sixers are looking less like a team that was hastily-assembled, and more like a cohesive unit.
The East Is Up For Grabs
The moment LeBron James departed Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA’s Eastern Conference became a battle zone. The teams of James – the Miami Heat and the Cavaliers – had won every East title since 2010-11.
Watch til the end. 😂#PhilaUnite | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/aK42XKUZES
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 19, 2019
Among the top contenders left standing in the East following the abdication of King James, this is relatively new turf for all of them.
The Boston Celtics were the last non-LeBron team to represent the East in 2009-10. The Sixers played most recently in the 2000-01 NBA Finals.
There is no traffic when you create your own lane. pic.twitter.com/xZgsUHEdw8
— τobias Harris (@tobias31) April 19, 2019
The Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors have never won an Eastern Conference title. The Bucks did represent the Western Conference in two NBA Finals, most recently in 1973-74.
76ers Were Never Doubted
Following Philly’s 111-102 Game 1 loss, the sportsbooks didn’t waver in their support of the Sixers. Philadelphia’s never been removed as favorite to win this series.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
📸: @MountainDew#PhilaUnite | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/zkcFN5Xjgz
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 19, 2019
With Simmons driving the lane and dominating the paint, and Harris and JJ Redick raining down threes, the 76ers were always going to take control.
. 2-1
📽️: @StubHub#PhilaUnite | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/TJWVCMXBsJ
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 19, 2019
There are still issues of concern for Philadelphia, most notably the status of Embiid’s ailing left knee. The Sixers have also struggled with defensive zone coverages. If they don’t fix that, moving forward it will prove to be a deal breaker.
Bet on Philly beating Brooklyn, though. That most certainly will happen.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
