TORONTO RAPTORS AT PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
December 29th – 7:00 pm ET – Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia
The Philadelphia 76ers will be looking for a fast start to the season after disappointing in the playoffs last year. They are eager to show fans and neutrals alike that they are a legitimate contender. They will need a motivated and determined Joel Embiid if they have any chance of doing any damage though.
Toronto was a game away from reaching the Eastern Conference final last season despite Kawhi Leonard’s departure to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Raptors have a good mix of youth and veterans on their squad and know what it takes to win an NBA championship.
Tuesday will be a fun game between two teams that know each other well. The Raptors did knock the 76ers out of the playoffs on route to their NBA championship in 2019 and Philadelphia hasn’t forgotten that. Take the visitors to get the job done though as Kyle Lowry always seems to get the better of the 76ers.
PICKS: Toronto
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS AT ORLANDO MAGIC
December 31st– 6:30 pm ET – Amway Center
Both the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic will have been in action on Tuesday night heading into this New Year’s Eve affair, but both sides will be well rested considering how early in the campaign it is.
Orlando isn’t expected to do a whole lot this season, but should be able to squeak into the playoffs. They will be in tough against the 76ers in this one though.
Philadelphia can be a dominant team when they want to be, but they haven’t been nearly as consistent as fans would like. This could be an opportunity for them to make a statement and send a signal of intent to the rest of the league.
Go with the visitors to pull off a big early-season victory in Orlando on Thursday, with the over also worth laying money on.
PICKS: Philadelphia
ATLANTA HAWKS AT BROOKLYN NETS
December 30th– 7:30 pm ET – Barclays Center
Kevin Durant sat out for an entire season rehabbing his torn Achilles and preparing for a fresh start in Brooklyn with the Nets. So far, so good.
The Nets dominated their first game of the season against Durant’s former team the Golden State Warriors. While there still may be a bit of an adjustment period for Brooklyn, there is no question they are instantly a top team in the Eastern Conference and a threat to reach the NBA final.
Atlanta will not be looking forward to their trip to Brooklyn and could be in for a long night. With the Nets eager to make up for a lost year last season, the Hawks could struggle to even keep this one close. Expect Durant to be on full display on Wednesday.
The Nets should win big on home court against Atlanta, with the over also looking like a strong option.
PICKS: Atlanta
Over
ODDS: Los Angeles Lakers (-2.5)
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS AT UTAH JAZZ
January 1st– 9:00 pm ET – Vivint Smart Home Arena
The Los Angeles Clippers were left heartbroken in the NBA bubble when they were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were brought in to win a title, not to simply reach the postseason.
After an impressive win on opening night against the defending NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers are proving to be a team on a mission. They watched their biggest rivals lift a championship banner in the same arena in which they play and will be eager to do the same.
Utah is not a team to be taken lightly though and this should be an entertaining affair. It is hard to bet against the Clippers at the moment though as they seem determined to make up for last season’s failures. Go with the visitors to pick up a victory against the Jazz.
PICKS: Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES LAKERS AT SAN ANTONIO SPURS
January 1st– 8:00 pm ET – AT&T Center
The Los Angeles Lakers did not start the season the way they would have liked losing to the Clippers on opening night. However, they are fresh off an NBA championship and can be forgiven if they weren’t entirely focused on banner-raising night.
The Lakers remain one of the best teams in the entire NBA and a legitimate contender to go back-to-back with Lebron James and Anthony David back together for their second full season.
San Antonio is a decent team with DeMar DeRozan LaMarcus Aldridge leading the way. They should make the playoffs, but probably won’t make too deep of a run,
When the Lakers are playing at their best, there are few teams in the league that can keep up and San Antonio is not one of them. Take the visitors to start off 2021 on the right foot with an important win in San Antonio on Friday evening.
PICKS: Los Angeles
* All odds are via Parx Sportsbook.
GET A RISK-FREE BET
UP TO $500
WELCOME BONUS
