Posted on
4/1/2008 12:43:43 PM
NBA Basketball Betting Free Picks – Philadelphia 76ers at New Jersey Nets
By Eric Williams
While several big name players have changed jerseys during a flurry of franchise-altering trades this season, the Philadelphia 76ers, (37-37 SU, 40-31-3 ATS, 34-39-1 O/U), may have pulled off the biggest coup of the season when they fired former general manager Billy King and lured New Jersey Nets general manager Ed Stefanski away from the New Jersey Nets to run their basketball operations.
Despite losing two consecutive games in the BetUS Sportsbook coming into this matchup, including a thrilling 91-88 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, the Sixers have gone a respectable 32-25 since Stefanski’s arrival and are now firmly entrenched in the eighth and final playoff spot in the eastern conference, six games ahead of the ninth place Atlanta Hawks.
"It was a tough loss for us. To play Cleveland like this, with LeBron (James), it's like a playoff atmosphere, playoff basketball," Sixers head coach Maurice Cheeks said. "It was something I talked to the guys about, being able to play in that moment like that, and we responded."
While the Sixers have soared by going to a quicker tempo since Stefanski took over, the New Jersey Nets, (31-43 SU, 30-42-2 ATS, 35-37-2 O/U), have dropped two straight games and four of six coming into this contest, including a 110-104 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
The Nets fell two games behind the Hawks in the race for the final postseason spot in the east and are fading quickly.
"We're just trying to figure out what we can do to get over the hump, and every play and every game counts right now," Nets swingman Vince Carter said. "We have to play with a lot of fire if we want to play in the second season."
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Picks.
The 76ers are 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine games following a S.U. loss.
The 76ers are 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games.
The Nets are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a S.U. loss.
The Nets are 7-1 ATS in their last eight home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Over is 5-1 in 76ers last six Tuesday games.
The Over is 6-0 in Nets last six home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The 76ers are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings in New Jersey.
The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Analysis: While the Nets need every victory they can pick up at this point of the season if they are to continue their late-season playoff push, the hungry Philadelphia 76ers are the correct pick for this matchup and should win this contest outright with their new, up-tempo style of play.
NBA Free Picks: Sixers +1 Point/Over 202½ Total Points
07:35 PM EST NBA Odds
Philadelphia 76ers +1 -110
New Jersey Nets -1 -110
Over 202½ -110
Under 202½ -110
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