Suns vs. 76ers NBA Picks: How to Bet Phoenix’s Visit to Philadelphia (Archive)
The Phoenix Suns have been the best road team in the NBA this season. Tonight that will get put to the test with a tough trip to Philadelphia. Can the Suns keep up their road dominance against one of the best teams in the East? Which team is the right NBA pick?
Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Tuesday, February 8, 2022 – 07:00 PM EST at Wells Fargo Center
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have the best road record in the NBA. Winning on the road is tough in the NBA, which is why the Phoenix Suns road success has translated to them having the best record overall in the NBA. After a season in which they just fell short of their championship aspirations, the Phoenix Suns have set themselves up to have home-court advantage throughout all rounds of the playoffs.
The Phoenix Suns have been able to overcome injuries on their journey to the top. Most recently, they missed center Deandre Ayton for multiple games. Even with Ayton out, the Suns were able to adapt and overcome. The Suns would start journeyman JaVale McGee and second-year player Jalen Smith and yet still find success as a team. However, in good news for Phoenix, Ayton is back in the lineup and is playing well.
Deandre Ayton's emergence has been led by the tutelage of Chris Paul. Paul is tops in the league in assists per game at 10.4. At age 36, Paul's longevity is in part due to his high basketball skill, but also due to his elite basketball IQ. Paul has done a great job with the Phoenix team to teach the game as well as lead the players on the floor.
Another player who has benefited from Chris Paul's tutelage is the Suns leading scorer Devin Booker. Booker has always been able to get a bucket, but now his acumen in the half-court has increased greatly. Paul has done a good job of helping Booker understand when it is time to get his teammates involved, and when it is time to take over. In the past, Booker was called a "ball hog" or a "black hole on offense". Now Booker plays within the flow of the offense perfectly. Credit must be given to Booker to take the opportunity to learn, but he has definitely benefited from the tutelage of Chris Paul.
Suns head coach Monty Williams has also been instrumental in the team's development. Watch any clip of Williams addressing the team in the locker room and you cannot help but be impressed with his understanding of his own role and responsibilities. Two or three years ago, Phoenix seemed to be a hopeless franchise, but with Monty Williams at the helm and Chris Paul as the coach on the floor, this Phoenix team is finally living up to his potential.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have been playing better as of late. The Sixers have won 4 of their last 5 games and 7 of their last 10. Although the Sixers are playing well right now, they cannot wait for this week to be over. Thursday is the trade deadline and that means the constant Ben Simmons rumors and questions will be put to bed, at least until the summer.
While questions about the team's personnel and trade possibilities swirl around the team, the Sixers have managed to stay focused and have been winning games. This is due to the elite play of MVP candidate Joel Embiid. Embiid leads the team averaging 29 points and 11 rebounds per game. Embiid is as close to an unstoppable offensive force as there is in the game right now. He is an elite rim protector on the defensive end. While some teams struggle with trade rumors all around the team, Embiid's elite play has allowed the Sixers to focus and win.
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One of the most contentious pieces of the Simmons trade is suitors' insistence on including Tyrese Maxey in the deal. The point guard out of Kentucky has made himself almost untouchable with his play this year. Maxey is averaging 17 points per game and leads the team averaging 5 assists per game. Maxey is also a spirited defender, who brings an infectious energy to the floor. Maxey is showing night in and night out why the Sixers do not want to part with him, even if it means getting rid of the albatross that is Ben Simmons.
Key Matchup
Joel Embiid vs. Deandre Ayton
Joel Embiid is a nightmare matchup for most players. But Ayton is one of the few people who has the size, skills, and athleticism to actually give the Sixers’ big man troubles. Ayton is very quick and will not be targeted on the perimeter as Embiid does against most centers. He is also strong enough to prevent himself from getting automatically backed down in the post by Embiid. Embiid has been the key to the Sixers' success amidst all the turmoil. If Ayton is able to slow down Embiid, the Suns have a great chance of continuing their winning ways on the road. If Embiid has a big night, the Sixers will make a statement and get the home win.
Best Bet
I like the Suns to continue their winning streak. Ayton is one of the few players that can trouble Embiid. The Suns are just a machine at this point and I’m gonna ride the streak while I can. Today’s best bet is the Phoenix Suns +1.5 (-110) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review).
NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns +1.5 (-110) at Bovada
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.