The Lede: 76ers Enter Full Tank Mode
Don’t have time to read through 1,000 words, but need some informed betting tips? Here’s a quick rundown on today’s biggest sports story, and how it impacts the way you should bet. Missed Friday’s? See it here.
76ers Joel Embiid Ruled Out Indefinitely
Philadelphia faithful have been given a glimpse of “The Process” this season, as former third-overall pick Joel Embiid – who missed two full seasons due to injury – made his pro debut, averaging 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. I say “a glimpse” because Embiid has only appeared in 31 of the 76ers’ 58 games, and likely won’t take the floor again until next season. The center is set to undergo an MRI on his knee as a result of some swelling. With the playoffs all but out of reach, Philadelphia isn’t going to take any chances with the foundation of its rebuild.
This news comes shortly after 2016 first-overall pick Ben Simmons was ruled out for the remainder of the season, and Nerlens Noel was dealt at the trade deadline (effectively for Justin Anderson and a draft pick). It is obvious the team is ready to pull the plug on the 2016-17 campaign, and that’s a wise move.
By moving down the standings, Philadelphia stands to benefit in a couple ways. Not only will their odds in the draft lottery get better, but they can actually earn another first-rounder in this year’s loaded draft. How? The 76ers own the rights to the Lakers first-round pick, but it is top-three protected this year – meaning if LA picks in the top-three, then Philly gets their 2018 first-rounder instead.
Right now, the Lakers have the third-worst record in the NBA. Philly has the fifth-worst, and currently has three more wins than LA. The Lakers are pulling their own tank job, moving leading scorer Lou Williams at the deadline, and won’t win many games down the stretch. But it’s still worthwhile for the Sixers to try to “catch” them and decrease LA’s odds of getting a top-three pick in the lottery.
Don’t buy into Philadelphia winning four of its last six; it’s going to be a race to the bottom and you should abandon any future plans of betting on the 76ers. Unless, of course, you want to bet on Dario Saric for Rookie of the Year, but there won’t be much value now. Looking at their next three (Golden State, Miami, and New York), I’d bet against Robert Covington and company.
After working in TV, Matt turned his focus towards numbers, specifically odds. He has been with us since 2016 and serves as SBD's Editor-in-Chief, credited with creating our futures trackers, SBD's score predictor, SBD Sharp, and his own model for calculating NFL SOS, among other products.
