If you thought the Philadelphia 76ers were going to turn things around in the second half of the season, think again. Among the NBA futures odds favorites before the campaign started, the Sixers have dealt with injuries and poor play entering the All-Star break with a record of 20-34. They opened the post-break part of their slate with three straight losses, two of them by at least 20 points, extending their losing streak to eight. They’ve been a disaster at the betting window, too, failing to earn a payout at the Bitcoin sportsbook in nine consecutive outings. Acquiring Jimmy Butler has changed the fortunes of the Golden State Warriors, who won six of their first seven games since the deal and face the floundering Sixers on Saturday in primetime. The game tips at 8:30 p.m. ET from the Wells Fargo Center and can be seen on ABC.
Bet NBA Parlays at BookMaker.eu
Warriors at 76ers Same Game Parlay
Warriors ATS
Warriors / 76ers UNDER
Golden State Warriors
The acquisition of Butler has not only helped Golden State on the court it’s been a boon to the team’s backers. Since the trade the Warriors look like a different team and have made a move in the heavily congested Western Conference. They were struggling just to stay in the play-in tournament race, but winning six of seven games since getting Jimmy Buckets elevated them into a virtual tie with Minnesota and the Clippers for the sixth-seed.
The Warriors won their first three games after the break all by more than 20 points and they are playing with a swagger we haven’t seen from them this year. Butler scored just six points in a 128-92 thumping of Charlotte on Tuesday but contributed in other ways showing his willingness to win. Butler played only 19 minutes with eight rebounds and five assists as the Dubs led by 32 points entering the fourth quarter. They easily covered the 17-point spread for their fourth straight payout and sixth in seven games.
A .500 road team the Warriors will be tested on this road trip that has them playing five games in eight days. But if the first meeting between the teams is any indication the Dubs should be just fine. Stephen Curry was unstoppable in Golden State’s 139-105 victory in early January making all eight three-pointers and 11 of 15 shots overall for 30 points. The Warriors shot 61 percent and made 22 triples for a fourth straight win and cover against the Sixers.
Philadelphia 76ers
As the season continues to spiral out of control there’s a good chance the Sixers shut down former MVP Joel Embiid for the remainder. The club hasn’t gone their yet but it’s obvious Embiid isn’t playing up to his standards hampered by a nagging knee issue that’s kept him out of all but 19 games this season. Even when he does play the team isn’t seeing the results. During a string of losses that stretched to eight games with a 32-point setback to the Bulls on Monday, Embiid was on the floor for five of them.
Embiid was on the bench in the fourth quarter of the previous loss to Brooklyn after he scored 14 points and was 4 of 13 from the field, including 0 of 6 from behind the arc. I think the team would be better off with some finality to the situation. Shutting Embiid down for the season would allow the Sixers to move forward and not wait for his possible return. But what do I know.
Preseason prognostications were made on the idea that Embiid would be relatively healthy and Paul George and Tyrese Maxey would complement the big guy forming a formidable trio. Well, George has had issues of his own and the three have appeared in just 15 games together going 7-8 in those games. And the Sixers have been one of the least profitable teams in the NBA failing to earn a payout in nine straight following Monday’s 142-110 loss. They are 20-37 ATS overall this season and are 0-4 SU and ATS in the last four matchups with Golden State.
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!
Check out the latest odds at BookMaker
