Bulls vs. 76ers NBA Picks and Odds Analysis (Archive)
The Bulls are back, but the 76ers aren’t ready to give up their spot as one of the East’s elite. However, with injuries mounting for the Sixers, should we be backing the underdogs on our Wednesday’s NBA pick?
Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Wednesday, November 03, 2021 – 07:00 PM EDT
Do Sixers Have Enough to Stop New-Look Bulls?
The Sixers have started to look right again after winning their last three games, but their opponents in those games left some things to be desired. Their win over the Hawks at home on Saturday was impressive, but it was sandwiched in between a win over the flailing Blazers and the worst team in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons.
Now the Sixers have to welcome in one of the East’s best teams and do so without two of their starters. Both Danny Green and Tobias Harris are out for this game and that leaves a ton of offense and defense out of this game when the Sixers need it the most.
I have no doubt that Joel Embiid will have a good game here, but even he is incapable of winning this game by himself.
While Embiid will certainly give Nikola Vucevic some buckets and make Vucci Man work on the other end of the court, he can’t do everything.
Namely, he won’t be able to guard this three-headed monster that is the Bulls backcourt. Tyrese Maxey is a fine defender, but without Green to back him up out there, he’s going to be on an island against Zach LaVine.
Then, who stops DeMar DeRozan? The questions just keep mounting, yet the Sixers keep taking money in the NBA odds. Let’s take advantage of that with a bet on the Bulls.
The Sharp Pick
Considering Harris being out, who has been one of the only main offensive weapons outside of Embiid for the Sixers, I have to take the points with the Bulls here.
They are the better defensive team, they are healthier than the Sixers, and they have more offensive talent tonight, despite not showing it until lately.
It’s crazy to think, but I don’t think we have seen the Bulls’ full upside on offense. Their defensive rating ranks 6th in the NBA and even with the loss of Pat Williams, that should stay good.
However, their offensive rating is slowly climbing as well after a slower start. The sample size is still too small to make a complete inference off this, but the Bulls rank 7th in ORtg. They are one of only three teams that have DRtg and ORtg in the top 10.
The Sixers’ offense will get slowed down by Chicago here and with Embiid still not looking like he is in full game shape, I’m taking points with the Bulls here at one of BMR’s best sportsbooks.
NBA Pick: Bulls +2 (-110) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
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