The Philadelphia 76ers (20-11) will travel to the AT&T Center to clash against the San Antonio Spurs (15-15). Action gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs ATS Odds
The 76ers will be looking for a similar result after blowing out the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last matchup, 128-105, as 3-point underdogs. The Spurs, on the other hand, were defeated by the Chicago Bulls, 98-93, and failed to cover as 9-point underdogs. The Philadelphia game finished 11.5 points over the projected point total of 221.5, while the San Antonio game went 22.5 points under the projected point total of 213.5.
Philadelphia dominated every stat category in the game. They had a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 30.8 (above their season average of 23.8) and a free throw rate of 0.165 (matching their season average). Cleveland was 14.3 and 0.125, respectively, for those same stats. San Antonio, meanwhile, did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (22-26; 84.6 percent). LaMarcus Aldridge played well for San Antonio with 29 points and 12 rebounds. Philadelphia, meanwhile, received a boost from Ben Simmons, who collected 22 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. This gave him his second triple-double of the year.
The 76ers dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the last contest, Philadelphia won 97-78. Philadelphia won the rebounding battle. The 76ers had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. five), defensive rebounds (38 vs. 31) and total rebounds (50 vs. 36). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
76ers games tend to go over the O/U total (56.7 percent). Philadelphia has a respectable 20-11 straight up (SU) record, but they have trouble covering the spread (13-17 against the spread (ATS)).
Much like Philadelphia, Spurs games also have a tendency to finish over the total (56.7 percent). Further, San Antonio owns records of 15-15 SU and 15-14-1 ATS.
The 76ers’ Simmons has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 17 points,10.0 rebounds,7.0 assists,2.0 steals,1.4 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Rudy Gay has averaged 20 points,7.6 rebounds,1.8 steals during that same time frame for the Spurs.
San Antonio should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. San Antonio ranks second in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.2 percent), while Philadelphia forces the second-fewest turnovers (11.9 percent). Also, the 76ers are among the league’s elite at getting to the line, ranking second in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.245). The Spurs, however, rank second at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.168.
76ers vs. Spurs Betting Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Spurs, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The 76ers rank 6 in rebounds per game (47.41935483870968) while the Spurs rank 10 in rebounds allowed per game (43.96666666666667).
- Philadelphia ranks ninth in fast break points per game (14.9) while San Antonio ranks 27th (9.3).
- The 76ers rank 13th in three pointers attempted per game (31.6) while the Spurs rank 28th (24.0).
- Philadelphia ranks 12th in points off turnovers per game (17.5) while San Antonio ranks 27th (14.3).
- Philadelphia ranks 21 in steals per game (7.032258064516129) while San Antonio ranks 26 (6).
- The 76ers average 26.5 assists per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Spurs rank 21st in assists allowed per game (24.6).
- The 76ers rank 17 in points in the paint per game (47.29032258064516) while the Spurs rank 26 (43.06666666666667).
- Philadelphia ranks 10th in blocks per game (5.6) while San Antonio ranks 25th (4.3).
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, Philadelphia is 6-0 and San Antonio is 7-2.
- The Spurs are 14-9 when they reach 100 points, while the 76ers are 20-9.
- Philadelphia is 4-9 ATS on the road, while San Antonio is 10-6 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 8 of the 76ers’ 13 road games, while 8 of the Spurs’ 16 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Spurs are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the 76ers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, San Antonio has 4 unders and 1 over, while Philadelphia has 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
- The Spurs have outscored opponents by an average of 16.8 points in their last five games. On the season, San Antonio has been defeated by an average of 0.8 points.
- During their last five games, the 76ers have scored an average of 117.2 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.6 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
