by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Nov 29, 2021
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Where to watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, Bally Sports Florida
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: 76ers -16
BetMGM: 76ers -15.5
Caesars: NL
Season record
Magic: 4-17
76ers: 10-10
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Magic - 76ers preview and analysis
Recent form
Magic: lost six straight; lost 105-92 at Cavaliers on Saturday
76ers: lost three of four; lost 121-120 (2OT) vs. Timberwolves on Saturday
The Philadelphia 76ers got their All-Star big man back, and he looked like he didn’t miss a beat.
But even a 42-point, 14-rebound effort from Joel Embiid could not stop the Sixers from losing for the third time in four games.
Philadelphia will try to rebound Monday against the Orlando Magic at home, as the road team will try to snap its six-game losing streak.
Saturday was Embiid’s first game since Nov. 6, in which he entered COVID protocol and remained there for almost three weeks. The game doesn’t matter at that point when it involves health and safety.
“I really thought I wasn’t going to make it. It was that bad,” Embiid said after Saturday’s game. “So I’m just thankful to be sitting here. I’m just glad I got over it.”
On the floor, Embiid was one of five players to score in double figures in their 1-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tobias Harris had 17 points but took 16 shots to get there; Tyrese Maxey had 15 points on 15 shots, and Seth Curry hit three 3-pointers to finish with 14 points.
The Sixers have not had the start they hoped for, heading to the quarter mark at 10-10. The books have also not been good for Philly, going 2-7-1 in their last 10 and were underdogs for six straight before Saturday’s game.
"You know, you've got everybody coming back together. We essentially had a new starting lineup," Embiid said. "Guys have been out, I just came back, Tobias (Harris) just came back, but it's not an excuse. We dug a hole at the beginning. It was tough to come back from, but we essentially did. We had to put in a lot of energy into it. So next time we should definitely start games better."
The Magic’s rebuild is off to an expected start having lost 17 of their first 21 to begin the season as this youth movement finds its rocky edges. Orlando is coming off a 13-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers that saw Wendell Carter Jr. post a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double while Orlando weaves through the injury weeds.
Starting point guard Cole Anthony is not available due to an ankle injury; the Magic could be without Terrence Ross and Mo Bamba; Markelle Fultz is also a name we may not see for a while. The attention goes to the likes of Jalen Suggs, who had 10 points on Saturday, and Franz Wagner off a 12-point, 8-rebound night.
“There are no excuses but the guys we had out there gave it everything they had,” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley.
Orlando is 8-13-0 against the spread this season and has actually gone 4-3 in the last seven with covers against the Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks.
Prediction
The 76ers have covered the last four meetings overall and the last four in Philadelphia, which bodes well for the home team in this matchup. Because of how banged up Orlando is, especially in the frontcourt, I like the Sixers and Embiid to have another dominant outing just like Saturday. 76ers by 20
Betting trends
The under is 4-0 in the Magic’s last four games.
The 76ers are 0-4 ATS in their last four home games.
The 76ers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 against teams below a .400 winning percentage.
The over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Philly.
Projected starting lineup
Magic:
PG: R.J. Hampton
SG: Jalen Suggs
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
C: Mo Bamba
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
C: Mo Bamba
76ers:
PG: Tyrese Maxey
SG: Seth Curry
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Joel Embiid
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Joel Embiid
Key injuries
Magic: Terrence Ross (back, questionable), Mo Bamba (back, questionable), Cole Anthony (ankle, out)
76ers: Shake Milton (groin, questionable), Ben Simmons (personal, out)
Statistical leaders
Magic:
Points: Cole Anthony -- 19.6
Rebounds: Wendell Carter Jr. -- 9.5
Assists: Cole Anthony -- 5.9
76ers:
Points: Joel Embiid -- 23.5
Rebounds: Andre Drummond -- 10.7
Assists: Tyrese Maxey -- 4.8
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
