6:10 pm
March 27

76ers @ Suns

Who will WIN this matchup?

Philadelphia 76ers (46-27)

@ Phoenix Suns (60-14)

 

Current odds:

Philadelphia 76ers: (+142)

Phoenix Suns: (-169)

 

• The line for this game is Suns by 3.5 points.

• James Harden is fitting in just fine with the Philadelphia 76ers, who are making a concerted push for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers will need another strong outing from Harden when they conclude a three-game trip against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Harden is averaging 23.0 points, 9.9 assists and 7.6 rebounds in 13 games since being acquired by Philadelphia. The Sixers (46-27) have won three straight to pull within a half game of the Miami Heat for first place in the conference.

• The 10-time All-Star had 29 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in a 122-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Joel Embiid added 27 points and 10 boards.

• Philadelphia’s next test comes against the league’s best team in Phoenix, which has won seven straight. The Suns (60-14) secured the top seed in the NBA playoffs with a 140-130 win over Denver on Thursday. Devin Booker scored a season-high 49 points in the victory while Chris Paul had 17 points and 13 assists in his first game back after missing 15 with a fractured right thumb.

• Booker is averaging 30.4 points on 55.1 percent shooting over his last nine games for the Suns, who have won their last five meetings against the Sixers.

• Phoenix posted a 114-109 win in Philadelphia on Feb. 9 after trailing by as many as 14 in the third quarter. Booker scored 35 points in the victory while Paul had 16 points and 12 assists.

• Sunday’s rematch features plenty of star power, including the battle in the paint between Embiid and Phoenix center Deandre Ayton. The 6-11, 250-pound Ayton continues to impress in his fourth season. He is averaging 19.9 points and 10.0 rebounds in 13 games this month with seven double-doubles.

• The Suns are 27-8 in their last 35 games against the Sixers in Phoenix, but Philadelphia enters on a roll following impressive wins over the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.

• Sixers coach Doc Rivers has settled on a dynamic starting unit that includes guard Tobias Harris, who is averaging 15.3 points over the last three games.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Phoenix Suns
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