It’s not about to get much easier for the skidding New Orleans Pelicans, as they are hosting Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers this Thursday. But will the Pels stun Philly? Or, will the Sixers claim another victim just after a mammoth win?

Catch this game live on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 9 AM, Manila time

Away: Philadelphia 76ers (12-5/5-2 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Tyrese Maxey
  • De’Anthony Melton
  • Tobias Harris
  • Nicolas Batum
  • Joel Embiid

The Sixers are feeling good. How can’t they? They just obliterated LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in a 138-94 win at home last Tuesday, Philly’s second victory in a row and fourth in its last six outings.  Philadelphia’s offense has been scorching of late, as they’ve punched their last two opponents in the mouth with 265 total points on 48.3 percent shooting from the field and 42.9 percent success rate from behind the arc. 

They probably are not going to go off for nearly 140 points this Thursday, but take note that the Sixers are No. 1 in the NBA so far this season in adjusted offensive rating with 117.7 points per 100 possessions and fourth with 120.5 points per game. They aren’t just winning games; the Sixers also cover the spread in a consistent manner, proving how dominant the team is this season. In fact, Philadelphia is second overall with a +8.8 average score differential, largely explaining why the Sixers are  12-5 against the spread to date in the 2023-24 NBA campaign.

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Home: New Orleans Pelicans (9-9/6-4 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jose Alvarado
  • Brandon Ingram
  • Herbert Jones
  • Zion Williamson
  • Jonas Valanciunas

The Pelicans are having less success than the Sixers lately. Following a three-game win streak, the Pels hit a road bump and lost two games in a row, both at the hands of the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. In the first one last Sunday, New Orleans suffered a 105-100 defeat before a 114-112 loss Tuesday. 

The good news for Zion Williamson and company is that they’re flying back home for this matchup versus the Sixers. The Pelicans are 4-1 straight up and 5-0 against the spread in their last five games as the home team. In addition, New Orleans is 3-1 ATS in the last four times it got visited by the Sixers, dating back to 2019. Although the Sixers are shooting incredibly from deep of late, they will be facing a seemingly great Pelicans outside defense, one that has limited teams to just 32.1 3FG% — the best in the league from a defensive standpoint. 

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Sixers (-1.5) cover.

Over/Under: The total (227.5) hits the Under.

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