by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Mar 12, 2023
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Where to watch: NBCSP, NBCSWA
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: 76ers -8.5
BetMGM: 76ers -8.5
Caesars: 76ers -8.5
Season record
Wizards: 31-36
76ers: 44-22
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting!
Wizards - 76ers preview, prediction and analysis
The Washington Wizards are set to take on the Philadelphia 76ers in a matchup between two Eastern Conference teams with playoff aspirations. Both teams have been playing well lately and will be looking to continue their success in Sunday's game.
The Wizards come into this game at 31-36 and on the outside looking in of the playoffs. They've been playing some of their best basketball of the season lately, winning four of their last five games. Their success has been led by the dynamic duo of Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis.
“No moral victories, we've got to be a lot better,” Beal said. “We knew and understood the situation, the series coming into tonight, the seeding and what that could do for us. ... Laying eggs. We've got to fight through it and these next 15, got to really make a push.”
“No moral victories, we've got to be a lot better,” Beal said. “We knew and understood the situation, the series coming into tonight, the seeding and what that could do for us. ... Laying eggs. We've got to fight through it and these next 15, got to really make a push.”
Defensively, the Wizards have struggled this season, ranking 27th in the league in defensive rating. However, they've been solid on the boards, ranking sixth in total rebounds per game.
The Philadelphia 76ers, on the other hand, come into this game with a record of 29-13 and are currently in first place in the East. They've been playing well lately, winning five of their last six games. Their success has been led by their star duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden.
The Sixers came back from 20 down to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-119, thanks to Embiid's 39 points and the game-winning jumper with 1 second left.
“Down 20, guys could have been saying the game is over and we moved on to the next one,” Embiid said. “But these guys keep on fighting. But we have to stop putting ourselves in these position.”
The Sixers came back from 20 down to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-119, thanks to Embiid's 39 points and the game-winning jumper with 1 second left.
“Down 20, guys could have been saying the game is over and we moved on to the next one,” Embiid said. “But these guys keep on fighting. But we have to stop putting ourselves in these position.”
Defensively, the 76ers have been one of the best teams in the league, ranking first in the league in defensive rating. They've also been solid on the boards, ranking fifth in total rebounds per game. Embiid has been a key factor in their defensive success, averaging 1.4 blocks per game.
In Sunday's matchup, both teams will be looking to make adjustments and come away with a win. The Wizards will likely look to attack the 76ers' defense and take advantage of their rebounding advantage. The 76ers, meanwhile, will need to limit the production of Westbrook and Beal and continue to play solid defense.
This game could come down to which team can execute their game plan better and make key plays down the stretch. With the 76ers fighting for the top seed in the East and the Wizards fighting for a playoff spot, this matchup is sure to be a competitive and exciting one for fans to watch.
Prediction
I'm not saying that Philly needs a win to start being taken seriously. They need a few wins. This is one of those that they need on route to that. 76ers 117, Wizards 105
Prediction
I'm not saying that Philly needs a win to start being taken seriously. They need a few wins. This is one of those that they need on route to that. 76ers 117, Wizards 105
Projected starting lineup
Wizards:
PG: Monte Morris
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Kyle Kuzma
PF: Kristaps Porzingis
C: Daniel Gafford
76ers:
PG: James Harden
SG: Tyrese Maxey
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: P.J. Tucker
C: Joel Embiid
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
