Tip off: 9:05 PM EST
Spread: PHI -1.5
Total: 197
M/L: PHI -125, PHX +105
Odds taken from Bookmaker
The Suns started out the season in disappointing fashion by losing to a team many expects to be among the worst in the league in the New Orleans Hornets. The Suns fell by one point, but received 21 points from Robin Lopez off the bench and a double double from Steve Nash (14 pts, 12 assists). It should be interesting to keep an eye on the minute distribution at center. While Gortat is the starting center, Lopez has the talent to upseed him and start.
The Sixers lost a high scoring affair in Portland Monday night. Of the 8 players the Sixers used, all but Jodie Meeks (13 minutes) reached double figures, and Louis Williams paced the way with 25 points off the bench on 9 of 17 shooting. The Sixers shot 48.2% from the floor and 42.1% from distance (8 of 19), but it still wasn’t enough. Portland also had 6 players in double figures, and Aldridge and Wallace combined for 46.
Some betting trends:
Philadelphia is 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games and the total has gone UNDER in 9 of the Sixers’ past 12 games. The Sixers are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games and they are 0-5 SU in their last 5 road games. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the Sixers’ last 7 raod games and they are 6-12 SU in their last 18 games against the Phoenix Suns. The Sixers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against Phoenix and they are 2-7 SU in their last 9 road games against Phoenix.
The Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 7. The Suns are 4-9 SU in their alst 13 games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games at home. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6 home games and the Suns are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Suns are 7-2 SU In their last 9 games against the Sixers.
Key Matchup:
Jrue Holiday vs. Steve Nash
This matchup pits the best player from each team (arguably for the Sixers, of course) and should be entertaining. There aren’t a lot of guys capable of getting a hold of Steve Nash, but Holiday is about as good a defensive point as you’re going to find so it should be fun to watch him try. Nash realizes the Suns aren’t going to contend this year or any time soon, but has refused to simply throw in the towel. His hard work is what we desire to see from stars playing for bad teams, but unfortunately we’re not treated to such showmanship that often. That digression aside, expect both players to have trouble with one another defensively, but it should make for an exciting game, at any rate.
