Philadelphia 76ers at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to play the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, December 31, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Philadelphia as 4.5 point favorites.

The 76ers head into this matchup with a mark of 15-19. They are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.1 as they are averaging 107.9 points per contest while giving up 109.0 per game. The Suns have an overall mark of 14-23. They currently are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 105.7 points per contest and giving up 112.1, which is a point differential of -6.4.

Valuable Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 17-17-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 18-16-0 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 19-17-1 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 19-18-0 against the over/under

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

12/29/17 C Joel Embiid Rest is OUT Saturday vs Denver
12/29/17 F Robert Covington Finger left last game, is "?" Saturday vs Denver
10/25/17 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

10/14/17 PG Brandon Knight Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid comes into this contest averaging 24 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per night so far this season for the 76ers. He pulls down 11 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 80%. Ben Simmons averages 16.8 points per game in 36.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.6 assists per contest and 8.7 rebounds per game for Philadelphia. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 54%.

Player Spotlight

T.J. Warren averages 19.2 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per contest this year for the Suns. He grabs 5.7 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Mike James averages 10.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 20.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.8 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia averages 107.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.09 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 14th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 23rd in the league. They average 48 rebounds per game and 26.1 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 18.1 per game. The 76ers allow 109 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.1 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 21.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 13th in the league with 105.7 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -6.35. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They are 4th in the league in rebounding with 45.6 boards per game, and 29th in assists per contest with 20.5. The Suns are 6th in turnovers per game with 15.8. The Suns surrender 112.1 points per contest, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 22.1 assists allowed per contest and 27th with 45.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.3 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The 76ers are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 106.8, and their offensive rating of 105.8 is ranked 20th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 13th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA. Philadelphia is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 27th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 11th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 19th in the NBA. The Suns are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 111.3, and their offensive rating of 105 is ranked 3rd. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 29th. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's 76ers/Suns NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Philadelphia -4.5

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