The Sixer Sense
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Sixers vs. Pelicans prediction and odds for Friday, December 30 (Expect lots of points in New Orleans)

By Ben Heisler

Dec 23, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sixers play their third straight road game tonight from New Orleans, as they get set to take on the Western Conference-leading Pelicans from the Smoothie King Center. It’s a chance for Philly to reset; eager to get the bad taste of Wednesday night’s loss to the Washington Wizards out of their collective mouths.

Joel Embiid was fabulous once again as he continues to keep his name in the NBA MVP race; dropping 48 points in the defeat along with 26 points and 13 assists from James Harden, but the Wizards snapped Philly’s eight-game winning streak in large part to outscoring the Sixers 67-56 in the first half.

Meanwhile, everything is coming up roses for the Pelicans of late; winning four straight games, three of which have come at home.

Tyrese Maxey remains out for the 76ers, while Brandon Ingram is officially unavailable for New Orleans. Larry Nance Jr. and Herbert Jones remain questionable heading towards tip-off.

Here are the latest odds for tonight’s top-tier matchup in the NBA, along with a 76ers vs. Pelicans best bet for this evening’s action.

Sixers vs. Pelicans Odds, Spread and Total

Sixers vs. Pelicans Prediction and Pick

Both of these teams have been terrific defensively in the month of December, but I’ll ride with the over for a couple of different reasons.

The trends back up plenty of points. For the Sixers, they’re 8-3 to the over in their last 11 games, 4-0 over their last four on the road, and 5-1 in their last six after a straight up loss (via Covers).

The Pelicans’ trends back up the over even more. They’re 6-1 to the over in their last seven, 5-1 in their last six at home, and 6-0 to the over in their last six after a loss ATS.

New Orleans also enters with the sixth-best offensive rating in the NBA at home in the month of December, while Philadelphia comes in seventh-best away from home. The traditionally reliable 76ers’ defense struggles outside of Philly, ranking 23rd in the month of December in defensive rating.

I’ll side with the points in tonight’s battle from “The Big Easy.”

Follow all of Ben’s betting plays in real-time HERE!

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.