by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Jan 14, 2023
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Where to watch: ATTSN-RM, NBCSP+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: 76ers -4; PHI -175, UTAH +150; O/U 235
FanDuel: 76ers -4.5; PHI -178, UTAH +150; O/U 235
BetMGM: 76ers -4.5; PHI -190, UTAH +155; O/U 234.5
Caesars: 76ers -4; PHI -179, UTAH +152; O/U 235
Season record
76ers: 25-16
Jazz: 22-23
We’re nearing the halfway mark of the season in the NBA and it’s been quite the ride so far. Al McMordie is cashing hard at 22-15-0 in the last 30 days, while Doc’s Sports has also had a strong run of form as of late at 14-10-0 (+$3,000). If they’ve been killing it as much as they were in the first half, what does the second half have in store? The only way you’re going to find out is by staying locked on bigal.com and following what our champion handicappers are up to heading into the final 41 games. Trust us, you want to know.
76ers - Jazz preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
76ers: lost 133-114 vs. Thunder
Jazz: won 112-108 vs. Magic
The Philadelphia 76ers will look to win for the third time in four games when they face the Utah Jazz on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
The 76ers are hitting the road for just the second time in six games. Philadelphia is coming off a 133-114 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday at home in Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Sixers, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 25-16 record, ran into a juggernaut in OKC that has been playing much better than anticipated this season.
Joel Embiid did what Joel Embiid tends to do with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while going a perfect 10 of 10 from the free-throw line. As for anyone else on the team, there wasn’t much on this night. James Harden had 24 points and 15 assists, but took just 13 shots. Tyrese Maxey had 17 points, but the Sixers shot just 44 percent from the floor.
“We're a good defensive team, but we did not defend tonight," 76ers coach Doc Rivers said. “I guess the one common theme overall is just getting beat off the dribble into the point. On those nights, we struggle. Honestly, on those nights, every team struggles. They got into the paint over and over again.”
The Sixers have been a net-positive team, all things considered, having won six of their last 10. Against the spread, however, has not been a good time for Sixers bettors. Philadelphia has gone 4-6 against the spread in the last 10 and they have failed to cover in three of the last five. The Sixers are still in the thick of things for the top spot in the Eastern Conference at five games back of the Boston Celtics.
So long as Harden and Embiid are getting everyone involved right now, there’s going to be a chance to win a lot of games. As evidence, they’re going to get their games and numbers. Maxey and others need to step up.
But things won’t be easy against a Utah team that has exceeded all expectations and may end up having an All-Star in Lauri Markkanen later on down the road.
The Jazz are going for their third straight win after knocking off the Cleveland Cavaliers in Donovan Mitchell’s return game, and following that with a win over the Orlando Magic on Friday. This will be a back-to-back for Utah after beating Orlando at home last night.
Lauri Markkanen, at the very least, is easing the blow of Utah having to trade Mitchell. Utah’s All-Star candidate shot 4 of 13 on Friday, but finished with 28 points (17 of 21 from the free-throw line), and Jordan Clarkson finished with 23 points to help pace the offense.
“We were just switching everything and I thought he’d probably shoot a 3, so I tried to stay down and not to foul, but I got a piece of it and we won,” Markannen said on an epic block of Orlando’s free agency.
It’s been a tough go as of late for Utah against the spread with covers in three of their last five, while going 4-6 on the books in the last 10.
Prediction
I’m not a fan of the home team getting the back-to-back because they could take their foot off the gas at any time. Philly is in need of a good performance from the depth players in order to hold off the Utah surge. 76ers 120, Jazz 110
Betting trends
Jazz are 18-6 ATS as an underdog this season.
Jazz are 7-0 ATS as a home underdog this season.
76ers are 19-11 ATS as a favorite this season.
76ers are 10-3 ATS after 4 straight overs the past three seasons.
Projected starting lineup
76ers:
PG: James Harden
SG: Tyrese Maxey
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: P.J. Tucker
C: Joel Embiid
Jazz:
PG: Collin Sexton
SG: Jordan Clarkson
SF: Lauri Markkanen
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Walker Kessler
Injury report
76ers: None
Jazz: Mike Conley (rest, questionable)
Statistical leaders
76ers:
Points: Joel Embiid – 33.5
Rebounds: Joel Embiid – 9.9
Assists: James Harden – 11.2
Jazz:
Points: Lauri Markkanen – 24.5
Rebounds: Lauri Markkanen – 8.5
Assists: Mike Conley – 7.5
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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.
