Sixers vs. Blazers prediction and odds for Thursday, January 19 (Keep trusting Philly)
By Peter Dewey
The Philadelphia 76ers are on the road on Thursday night to take on Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers.
It’s hard not to love what Philly is doing right now, as the team has won eight of its last 10 games to move just half a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference.
Since James Harden returned to the lineup on Dec. 5, the Sixers have promptly gone 15-5, going 14-5 in the 19 games that Harden has been active in.
Now, they get to take on a Portland team that has struggled as of late, winning just three of its last 10 games to fall to the No. 11 spot in the Western Conference.
The Blazers have two solid guards in Lillard and Anfernee Simons, which should make for a fun matchup against Harden and Tyrese Maxey.
Joel Embiid, who dominated the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, is looking to stake his claim in the MVP race by leading the Sixers to an elite record in the East.
Can they keep their hot streak going tonight? Here’s a look at the latest odds and pick for this game:
Sixers vs. Blazers odds, spread and total
Sixers vs. Blazers prediction and pick
I’m surprised this spread is as short as it is, especially since Portland has home losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic in its last 10 games.
The Sixers are a far better team, ranking sixth in net rating to Portland’s 18th over each team’s last 10 matchups.
Philly is top seven in the league in season-long defensive and offensive rating, and the Sixers have four strong scoring options when they’re at full strength.
With Simons slumping as of late, the Blazers are relying heavily on Lillard, and I’m not sure he can carry them to a win.
Philly is 6-6 against the spread as a road favorite this season, going 8-4 straight up in those games.
I’m going to forget the points tonight and back the Sixers to win as short favorites on the moneyline against this struggling Blazers squad.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.