LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Orlando Magic Center Nikola Vucevic (9) looks on during a NBA game between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 6, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
- The undefeated Orlando Magic face the Philadelphia 76ers on December 31st
- Orlando is 4-0 for the first time in franchise history
- Get the latest odds, betting preview and a pick below
The Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers face-off on December 31st. Orlando is the only undefeated team in the NBA, owning a 4-0 record after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder. Philadelphia is 3-1, their only loss coming in a surprise blowout to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Sixers are 3-0 in games Joel Embiid has played. Embiid is expected to be available on New Year’s Eve after having a day to rest following his mammoth 38-minute outing against the Toronto Raptors.
Philly is three-point favorites over the strong-starting Magic.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Orlando Magic Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia 76ers | -3 (-110) | -146 | Over 217.5 (-110) |
| Orlando Magic | +3 (-110) | +124 | Under 217.5 (-110) |
Odds taken on Dec 31 from FanDuel
Stopping Embiid
Embiid has been spectacular so far this season. Benefiting from the additional shooting of Seth Curry and Danny Green, Embiid is averaging 28.3 points per game and only two players are getting to the line more often than him. Toronto was aggressive in their defense of Embiid, throwing double and even triple teams at the Cameroonian whenever he received the ball in the post.
It didn’t stop him scoring 29 and getting 16 free throws, but it forced five turnovers and we can expect similar defense from Orlando. Nikola Vucevic will need help.
Orlando has ranked in the top six in the NBA in opponent free throws in each of the last two seasons. That trend has continued into 2020-21. Preventing Embiid getting to the line is vital, particularly against a Sixers offense which has struggled at times.
Making Embiid work, and forcing others to beat them, is Orlando’s best chance. Vucevic doesn’t tend to suffer from foul trouble, but that can change against a force as dominant (and as good at baiting defenders) as Embiid. Keeping Vucevic on the court is key to the Magic’s chances of winning.
Bad Matchup for Orlando
The Magic are short on shooting. They rank last in the NBA in three-point attempts. They don’t get to the rim enough (30th in attempts), but they are the most efficient when it comes to finishing at the basket. This is a team that has loved the mid-range so far this season, and that’s not a great sign against this Sixers team.
Already struggling to get to the basket, the Sixers have one of the best interior defenders on the planet in Embiid. Dwight Howard doesn’t provide much respite in that department. Getting good mid-range looks isn’t easy either with the length of Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons and Green.
Philly’s defensive weak point is the perimeter. Stretching the floor is the best way to score against the Sixers. While Vucevic can try to drag Embiid away from the paint, this Orlando offense isn’t equipped to take advantage of the 76ers’ inconsistent rotations to shooters. The Raptors lit the Sixers up from the outside – 35.6% from deep isn’t a good portrayal of how many good looks Toronto created.
The Sixers are number one in the league in opponent shooting at the rim and sixth on mid-rangers. They rank in the bottom 10 on threes. Letting it rip from beyond the arc is Orlando’s best chance of victory.
Close Fought Game
Orlando has been playing great basketball. Markelle Fultz looks to be developing further, building on a strong 2019-20. Cole Anthony is a nice spark off the bench already. Steve Clifford is a master at grinding out regular seasons wins, making his teams better than the sum of their parts.
The blip against the Cavaliers looms large for anyone considering backing the Sixers. With Embiid healthy for Thursday’s matchup with Orlando, though, the second half display against the Raptors is a better indicator of where this team is. If Philly gets the same level of production from Harris, they should win this game.
Neither are explosive offensive teams. The under is tempting (Philly have hit the under in all four games), but Orlando have gone over in all four.
This has the makings of a very competitive game. With Embiid’s influence inside, the Sixers will probably edge it if it’s close in the fourth.
Pick: Philadelphia 76ers Moneyline (-146)
Sam Cox is a freelance writer and sports junkie, who has spent the past several years immersed in the online gaming industry. He has worked with 888sport, Oddschecker, and Colossus Bets to name a few. Based in the UK, Sam also runs Franchise Sports with his brother.
source https://casinonewsblogger.com/76ers-vs-magic-picks-and-odds/
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