7:10 pm
January 12

Hornets @ 76ers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Charlotte Hornets (22-19)

@ Philadelphia 76ers (23-16)

 

Current odds:

Charlotte Hornets: (+190)

Philadelphia 76ers: (-220)

 

• The line for this game is 76ers by 5 points.

• Despite injuries, COVID issues and Ben Simmons’ season-long absence, the Philadelphia 76ers have remained one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They can thank Joel Embiid for much of that. Even Embiid had a three-week COVID-19-related absence earlier this season, but he has since turned into an MVP candidate. Again. Embiid has scored at least 30 points in seven straight games, all wins for the Sixers. Philadelphia will look for its eighth consecutive victory Wednesday when it hosts the Charlotte Hornets.

• Anchored by Embiid’s 31 points, the Sixers defeated the Houston Rockets 111-91 on Monday.

• The Sixers’ winning streak continued even with key players out such as Seth Curry (ankle) and Tyrese Maxey (health and safety protocol). Despite short-handed rosters each night, head coach Doc Rivers could sense the wins coming.

• The Hornets will be searching for their fourth win in a row when they visit Philadelphia. After a resounding 29-point victory over the Detroit Pistons, the Hornets twice defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in impressive efforts in Charlotte.

• The Hornets followed a 114-106 win over the Bucks on Saturday with a 103-99 Monday night victory behind 27 points from Terry Rozier and 23 from LaMelo Ball. It was Ball’s floater with 15 seconds left that sealed the win for the ever-improving Hornets, who were victorious without Kelly Oubre Jr. (COVID protocol).

• The 22-19 record is the best halfway mark for Charlotte since the 2000-01 season when the Hornets started 23-18 and went on to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Hornets have been inconsistent at times this season, especially on the offensive end. During their current surge, they have tightened defensively, and the results have been evident.

• Great players are going to pile up statistics like the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo did in averaging 34.5 points in the two defeats to Charlotte. But the Hornets made enough plays in the waning minutes each night to pick up two clutch wins. The Hornets will have to follow the same blueprint to hold off the Sixers and Embiid.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Philadelphia 76ers
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