Game: Philadelphia 76ers @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Odds: 76ers -0.5, TWolves +0.5
Total: 229
When the two teams face each other tonight at the Target Center, the Philadelphia 76ers (42-22 SU, 37-27 ATS) will try to snap the Minnesota Timberwolves’ winning streak. Philadelphia enters the game having won three of its previous four games, while Minnesota (34-32, 32-34) has won three in a row.
The Sixers played last night, a high-scoring affair with the Indiana Pacers. Joel Embiid scored 42 points as Philadelphia won 147-143. James Harden added 14 points and had 20 assists. While Embiid continues to shine, Harden and Tyrese Maxey are off to great starts in the first week of March. Harden is averaging 29.3 points and 9.3 assists per game. Maxey is scoring 27.3 points per game and is on track to have his best month of the season.
Minnesota hasn’t played since Saturday when they beat the No. 3 team in the West, Sacramento, 138-133. Anthony Edwards led the TWolves with 27 points and Mike Conley added 24. Five more Minnesota players scored in double figures.
The Timberwolves have been getting the best out of their bench lately. The team is averaging 124 points a game in March with Edwards scoring 23 a game. Minnesota has eight players averaging at least 10 points a game in March.
The TWolves will have to find a way to slow down not just Embiid, but also Harden and Maxey. What was once a one-man show in Philly has turned into a triple threat. Maxey continues to have bursts of offensive brilliance, especially when given a larger role in the Sixers lineup. He is still trying to maintain his consistency. For the first time this year, Maxey has scored 20 points or more in five straight games. That is encouraging for the 76ers as the season’s last few months approach.
The Timberwolves have significantly more depth than the Sixers, who only have five players scoring in double figures this season. The Sixers undoubtedly have the advantage in terms of top-end quality. This has been shown in the two teams’ recent meetings.
In the first matchup of this season, Minnesota beat Philadelphia, winning 112-109 on November 19. But, only Embiid from Philadelphia’s top three participated in that game. Philly has actually won nine of the last 11 games against Minnesota. The Sixers are also 9-2 ATS in those 11 games. Philly is very good on the road too, winning 12 of their last 15 road games. The Sixers are, however, just 2-4 ATS in their last six games.
Minnesota is just 1-7 ATS in its last eight games against Philadelphia at home. The Under has cashed in five of the TWolves’ last six games and in seven of their last nine games played at home. Minnesota trends Under (31-35) for the season. The TWolves’ home O/U record is 14-20. The Sixers trend Over (36-28). In the last five meetings against Philadelphia, the Over is 4-1.
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