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The two first-place teams from each conference meet Sunday when the Phoenix Suns (60-14) host the Philadelphia 76ers (46-27). Tip-off at Footprint Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the 76ers vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Philly moved into first-place of the Eastern Conference by going 5-1 straight up (SU) — 3-2-1 against the spread (ATS) — over its last six games. Most recently the Sixers blasted the Los Angeles Clippers 122-97 on the road Friday.
Phoenix won its seventh straight game Thursday at the Denver Nuggets 140-130, which clinched first place in the Western Conference and the best record in the league. It was G Chris Paul‘s first game back following an injury that kept him sidelined since the All-Star break.
The Suns beat the Sixers 114-109 in Philly Feb. 8 as 1.5-point road underdogs and both teams were at full strength. Phoenix is 3-0 SU and 2-0-1 ATS versus Philly since the beginning of last season.
However, the February meeting was before Philly acquired SG James Harden at the NBA trade deadline.
- Money line (ML): 76ers +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Suns -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread: 76ers +3.5 (-105) | Suns -3.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
76ers at Suns key injuries
76ers
- None
Suns
- PF Cameron Johnson (quad) out
- C JaVale McGee (illness) out
76ers at Suns odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 122, 76ers 115
Money line
PASS.
The Suns (-175) are the right side because they show up in big games and the 76ers turtle when facing tough teams but Phoenix’s ML is just too pricey considering Philly’s recent surge atop the Eastern Conference.
The Suns are 14-7 SU versus teams in the top-10 of net efficiency with the second-best adjusted net rating (plus-4.9), according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG). The Sixers are 9-12 SU against top-10 teams with the 15th-ranked adjusted net rating (minus-4.5).
Again, Phoenix is the play but I’m confident enough to save money and lay the points with the Suns.