Wizards vs 76ers Predictions & Odds (Nov. 2)
By Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball
Published:
- Philadelphia is laying eight points at home in the Wizards vs 76ers odds ahead of their Wednesday night matchup
- Joel Embiid is listed as questionable with an illness
- Keep reading for the complete Wizards vs 76ers predictions and injury news
No Joel Embiid, no problem. That was the 76ers (4-4, 1-2 home) mantra on Monday night as they downed the Wizards (3-4, 1-2 away) without their star big man.
Two nights later, the eastern conference foes will meet again with no definitive indication of whether Embiid will suit up or not.
As far as oddsmakers are concerned, the spread in the NBA odds suggest the Process will play. Philly opened up as the 7.5-point chalk, and that number has already been bet up in the 76ers favor.
Wizards vs 76ers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Wizards | +8 (-110) | +295 | OFF |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -8 (-110) | -370 | OFF |
Odds as of November 1at Barstool Sportsbook. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Wizards vs 76ers game.
The Sixers are currently 8-point favorites, in a game without a total as of Tuesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 pm ET at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA, a building where Philly is just 1-2 at so far this season.
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Analysis
Embiid is currently listed as questionable with what the team is calling “flu-like symptoms”. He sat out not only Monday’s win over Washington with the illness, but also Friday’s victory at Toronto with knee soreness.
The top-five NBA MVP odds contender is off to a slow start by his standards, averaging 27 points and 9.5 boards, which is 3 points and 2 rebounds fewer than his stats from last season.
#Sixers center Joel Embiid is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the #WashingtonWizards with an non COVID-19 illness. He missed Monday’s game vs. the Wizards with the illness that Sixers coach Doc Rvers believes are flu-like symptoms.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 1, 2022
One explanation for his reduced production is that he’s getting fewer ISO possessions and is rolling to the hoop more often. Embiid is rolling an average of 7 times per game, which is 2.5 times more than any other big man.
That punctuates the fact that James Harden is dictating the offense, deciding when and where Embiid is getting his touches. Harden ranks second in the league in assists, and leads the team in PIE (player impact estimate), a metric that gauges a player’s all around contribution to the game.
Without Embiid on Monday, Harden and Maxey paced the 76ers to a 118-111 win over the Wiz. Harden scored 23 points and dished out 17 assists, while Maxed poured in 28 points. Philly nearly let an 18-point fourth quarter lead disappear, but held off the charging Wizards in the final minute.
Throughout his career the Sixers are 215-119 with Joel Embiid on the court and 63-84 when he has missed games
They are 2-0 without Embiid this year which is encouraging
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) November 1, 2022
The Sixers improved to 2-0 this season without Embiid, after entering the season with a 63-84 record all-time in games he’s missed.
Washington Wizards Betting Analysis
Washington meanwhile, enters play fresh off three straight defeats. Their offense certainly isn’t to blame, as they’ve put up at least 111 points in two of those outings, and in three of their last four games overall.
Kristaps Porzingis splashed 32 points in Monday’s loss to Philly, while Bradley Beal added 20. The team shot 47% from the field and 40% from three, but couldn’t stop anybody.
back at it on Wednesday in Philly.#DCAboveAll | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/LUqmhVqN2u
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) November 1, 2022
The Wizards yielded a 55% field goal percentage to the 76ers, and a 40% mark from three. They rank sixth worst in opponent three-point efficiency this season, and have coughed up an average of 119 points per outing during their three-game slide.
On the injury front, forward Corey Kispert will miss his eighth straight game with an ankle injury, while guard Delon Wright is out after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain last week.
Wizards vs 76ers Prediction
Philly closed as a 2.5-point favorite for Monday’s matchup between these two teams, a number they easily covered. The fact that they’re now favored by 8 indicates Embiid is likely to go.
That’s bad news for the Wizards who have been dreadful against the spread so far this season. Washington has covered just once in seven outings, failing to beat the number all three times they’ve been catching points.
current mood: pic.twitter.com/VoAtVC13Eq
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 1, 2022
The Sixers on the other hand, have been crushing ATS after a slow start. They’ve covered in three straight games, with an average cover margin of 10.8 points.
If Embiid plays, their starting five of him, Harden, Maxey, Tobias Harris and P.J. Tucker dwarfs anything the Wiz can assemble talent wise. Embiid will be able to bully Porzingis down low, and the extra defensive attention he’ll draw should lead to plenty of open looks for his teammates.
Pick: Philadelphia 76ers -8 (-110) if Embiid plays
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
