Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers Predictions, Odds, Picks

• Stuck at .500, the Brooklyn Nets sorely want to make their way back to top 6 in the East.
• The Philadelphia 76ers are 8-2 in their last ten and will be itching to take down the Nets!
• The Nets have are 2-1 through three meetings with the Sixers this season.

Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers Odds

The Brooklyn Nets will be motivated in this matchup, ready to show James Harden that they’re a championship quality team without him. However, the Sixers have looked almost unstoppable since acquiring Harden, their offense looking to be on another level.

Picks:

Philadelphia 76ers def. Brooklyn Nets

Head-to-Head: Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers

Injury Report

How can the Nets beat the Sixers?

The Philadelphia 76ers have been playing excellent basketball since they acquired James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets. Brooklyn will have their hands full against a team that has been punishing teams in the halfcourt.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been excellent breaking down teams, despite their slower pace. Philly are averaging just 78.8 field goal attempts in games, but are assisting on 62.5% of their made field goals.

Brooklyn’s halfcourt defense will face one of its toughest tests of the season. Ranking 4th in three-point efficiency allowed (34.0%), but 14th in overall field goal efficiency allowed (45.5%), the Nets will need to put in a strong defensive effort from all areas.

Nets Key Player: (G) Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving didn’t even catch that ball before burying that 3 ?
pic.twitter.com/OID5VRj94v

— Cody Mallory (@RealCodyMallory) March 9, 2022

One of the most divisive players in the league, Kyrie Irving enters this matchup off the back of a tremendous game. Alternating scoring duties with Durant, Irving put in one of his best performances of the season.

In his last game, a victory over the Charlotte Hornets, Irving was in classic form. In 37 minutes of play the Nets star posted 50 points and 6 assists while shooting 15 of 19 from the field and 9 of 12 from three-point range.

There isn’t an individual player on the Sixers able to guard Irving. With the right gameplan, Irving should be able to not just get his points, but also create some fantastic opportunities for his teammates.

How can the Sixers beat the Nets?

The Philadelphia 76ers face a Brooklyn Nets team that will be led by two of the NBA’s most devastating scorers in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

More interested in scoring efficiency than in finding a boatload of threes, the Nets will force the Sixers defense to be on their toes. Durant and Irving are not only Brooklyn’s most prolific scorers, averaging a combined 45.3 points per game, but they are also Brooklyn’s top playmakers with a combined 11.2 assists per game.

It sounds simple, but controlling the play of Durant and Irving will be the key to Philly’s success. If they contain even some of the scoring or playmaking ability of the Nets stars, the Sixers will be in great position to win.

Sixers Key Player: (G) James Harden

2,560 3PM by James Harden #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/dbe3UIyZSk

— NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2022

The Philadelphia 76ers have been flying, and James Harden has breathed new life into the team. Although he’s only played in 5 games, he’s been fantastic. Against his old team, expect a big night from Harden.

In 5 games with the Sixers, Harden has averaged 24.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in 36.8 minutes per game. What’s been notable has been his efficiency, as the former NBA MVP has shot 53.1% from the field and 44.8% from three-point range.

The Nets aren’t a strong defensive team, so the attention that Harden draws could be devastating to them. So long as he embraces his role as a playmaker, as much as he has scorer, the Sixers could run away with this game.

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