This East Coast road trip has been so discouraging for the Phoenix Suns that they are limping into their contest against the Philadelphia 76ers. On defense and offense, the Suns’ problems have been plain to see. Their offense is hampered by an excessive dependence on scoring from mid-range and an unimpressive quantity of 3-point attempts, while their defense is lacking in interior coverage and switchable players, leaving them vulnerable to more physical teams. If they decide to bench Bradley Beal, he can help lead the second unit, which is in dire need of a scoring threat, and their rotations will be more balanced. But with talk of a trade involving Jimmy Butler circulating, this squad seems more confused than intimidating.
The 76ers, however, are riding high, having won seven of their last ten games. They got back on track after a shaky start and are now 11-4 favorites. Their capacity to defeat top-tier opponents is still an open question. After losing to playoff-caliber teams like the Kings and Warriors, recent wins against failing teams like the Jazz, Nets, and Blazers don’t exactly fill one with confidence.
The odds favor the Sixers when they face the Suns, who are only 3-12 underdogs and 5-10 away from home. It seems hazardous to wager on the spread with Philadelphia and Phoenix’s inconsistent play. The most prudent choice is to wager on the under (222.5). Low scoring is likely due to the 76ers’ excellent defense and the Suns’ offensive struggles.
