The Philadelphia 76ers seem to be getting better as the season moves along, which is not a surprise for a group with a solid young core. Philadelphia is jockeying for position in the lower half of the Eastern Conference playoff seeds and would love to pick up a winnable game next time out against the Orlando Magic.
The 76ers are on the road but the vastly superior team and will likely be favored to claim this contest. Orlando would actually be better off losing this game as it has one of the worst records in the NBA and more losses would improve its chance at a high draft pick.
Orlando has been much better at home than on the road this season so it does figure to have a shot at the upset but will be the underdog in NBA basketball betting lines.
Don't miss the hardwood action from the Amway Center at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Catch every moment of the game live on NBATV.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Thursday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Philadelphia is 39-30 straight up and 37-30-2 against the spread. The 76ers have gone 16-18-2 against the spread on the road this season. Philadelphia has covered in 24 of 42 attempts as the favorite on the year.
The Magic is 21-50 straight up and 34-36-1 against the spread. Orlando has gone 15-19 against the spread as the home team this year. The Magic is 30-28-1 against the spread as the underdog.
Injury Report
Magic shooting guard Evan Fournier has been out for a significant stretch and is reportedly not close to rejoining the action. He is a critical piece for a rebuilding Orlando squad and his presence is sorely missed.
Fournier is averaging 17.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this season. He is second on the team in scoring and Orlando has had trouble putting up big offensive performances in recent games. Fournier is shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three-point range.
Fournier’s absence isn’t a huge deal in the grand scheme of things since the Magic is not going to make the playoffs regardless of if he plays or not down the stretch, but Orlando would like to see its best players continue to progress in hopes of better days ahead.
Player To Watch
Ben Simmons -- The 76ers rookie guard has been terrific this season and along with Joel Embiid is one of the main reasons why Philly has taken a big jump this season into playoff contention. Simmons is averaging 16.2 points, 7.9 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game on the season.
He had an outstanding performance recently, registering 11 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds without a turnover in a win over Charlotte. It was the third triple-double in the past five games for Simmons as he really seems to be finding a nice groove down the stretch.
If he fills up the stat sheet once again in Orlando the 76ers will have a great shot at pulling out the victory.
Free NBA ATS Picks
Orlando’s home court advantage gives it a better shot than many would think at first glance, which should be kept in mind when it comes to NBA basketball spreads. However, the 76ers are playing well and are primed to be a tough out come playoff time.
Take Philadelphia to capture this victory, although the Magic is the choice to cover as long as the spread is a reasonable one in NBA basketball odds.
NBA Odds: 76ers 110, Magic 107
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
