The Golden State Warriors’ surge is being felt across the league, with the team continuing to click since the trade deadline. The Philadelphia 76ers, on the other hand, are moving in the complete opposite direction, with Paul George and company still looking for a way out of a dark tunnel. Will the Warriors add to Philly’s woes? Or, will the 76ers trip up Golden State?

Catch this game live on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Golden State Warriors (32-27, 15-14 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Stephen Curry
  • Brandin Podziemski
  • Jimmy Butler III
  • Moses Moody
  • Draymond Green

There are two words to explain the Warriors’ 121-115 road win on Friday against the Orlando Magic: Stephen Curry.  The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player torched the Magic in their backyard for 56 points, hitting 12 3-pointers along the way and going 16-for-25 from the field overall. But the Warriors also benefited from going 30-for-34 from the free-throw line, with Curry going 12-for-12, as Golden State extended its win streak to five games and won their seventh in eight outings. 

The Warriors are just 27th in the NBA this season with 13.8 percent of their points coming from the free-throw line, but that number is up to 16.5 percent based on how the last five games have gone for Golden State, which is also 5-1 against the spread in their last six contests as a road team. With Curry looking to stay hot and Jimmy Butler seemingly fitting in nicely in his new environment, the Warriors can further pounce on a disintegrating Sixers side in Philly, where Golden State has won seven of its last 10 trips.

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Home: Philadelphia 76ers (20-38, 10-20 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Tyrese Maxey
  • Quentin Grimes
  • Kelly Oubre Jr.
  • Paul George
  • Andre Drummond

It is not yet a completely lost season for the 76ers. They are still on the outside looking in of the Play-in Tournament picture, and that’s despite the fact that they have gone winless in their last nine games. That includes their 110-105 road loss to the New York Knicks last Thursday. Not even Paul George sacrificing his podcast time stopped the 76ers from losing to New York. However, he did score 25 points in the Knicks game, his first 20-point outing since late January.  

Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey is coming off a horrid shooting performance against New York, going 12-for-32 before finishing with 30 points. There could be some positive regression about to make the Warriors game better for Maxey, who is leading the 76ers this season with 27.2 points per outing. George and Maxey will have to do more heavy lifting for Philly, especially with Joel Embiid done for the season. The former MVP has already been ruled out for this Sunday’s meeting with the Warriors. One thing about the 76ers is that they are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 home games versus Golden State.

Picks

Spread: Philadelphia 76ers (+6.5)

Over/Under: Over (225.0)

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