Joralexray Garcia
The Thunder vs 76ers, two teams that have distinct goals for the rest of the season, but both need wins to accomplish them, will face off in the opening game of NBA action this Thursday, January 12.
The 76ers won by a score of 115-96 in the first meeting of the season between these teams, and now being home they will have much more confidence to get a positive result.
At JefeBet, we strive to provide with you the best analysis of the various NBA games along with their individual predictions. As we focus on bringing you the finest sports betting content, today we leave you with our Oklahoma City Thunder vs Philadelphia 76ers prediction.
Predictions, Odds, and Betting Preview for the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Philadelphia 76ers NBA Regular Season Game on January 12, 2023
- Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- When: Thursday, January 12, 2023, 7:00 PM E.T.
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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
- Season record: 18-22
The Thunder have displayed some positive traits this season, but they haven’t been able to maintain their consistency to be better positioned in the Western Conference. They come into this game in 13th place in the standings, just 1.5 games outside of the Play-in places.
The team’s main weapon this campaign has been the offense, which is the eighth best in the league with an average of 116.5 points scored per game. They are led by an inspired Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, who averages 30.9 points and 5.6 assists per game. For his part, young Josh Giddey averages 15.3 points, 5.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game.
However, they have not been able to take better advantage of that performance due to their poor defense, as they are one of the worst in the NBA in that regard, with an average of 116.7 points allowed per game while limiting opponents to 46.7% shooting from the field..
Betting on the Philadelphia 76ers
- Season record: 25-15
Things have been a little more different on the Philadelphia side, who have managed to display a really outstanding level in recent months after the return of James Harden. Moreover, they have even been able to deal with the loss of Joel Embiid in recent days, arriving here in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but only 4.0 games away from the top.
Even with Harden (22.0 points and 10.8 assists per game), Embiid’s absence had been a painful casualty on an offense that already averages a modest 112.8 points scored per game.The team has been supported by a defense that is currently the third best in the league with an average of 109.2 points allowed per game.
Embiid’s offensive influence was clearly seen in the 76ers’ most recent game, where they humiliated the Detroit Pistons 116-147 with a great performance by the Cameroonian, who scored 36 points, while Harden recorded a triple-double of 16 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds.
JefeBet Prediction
While the Thunder have been one of the strongest offensive teams of the campaign, things haven’t gone well for them when they go on the road: their offensive production decreases, which leaves them with a poor 5-13 record. In this way, we believe they won’t have an easy mission in this game against one of the best offenses in the league.
Additionally, they will have to do their best to also perform decently defensively, as they average 118.2 points allowed away from home, something the 76ers are capable of taking advantage of, just as they did in their last meeting against each other.
With the return of Embiid, the 76ers are strengthened in all aspects, being almost impassable in the low post and returning to have a great offensive duo with Harden; in this way, we expect them to be the ones who dominate things and take a comfortable victory.
Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers Spread.
