Philadelphia 76ers (12-5) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (9-9)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New Orleans Pelicans 11/29/23 – The 12-5 Philadelphia 76ers take on the 9-9 New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday in a cross-conference showdown. This matchup features two of the league’s top big men in Joel Embiid and Zion Williamson. Professional sports analysis gives the 76ers the edge, but the Pelicans have shown flashes of brilliance at home.
The 76ers have continued their strong play from last season behind Embiid’s MVP-level production. He leads the team in points, rebounds, and blocks, dominating the paint on both ends. Philadelphia is getting solid guard play from James Harden and Tyrese Maxey as well. The 76ers excel in forcing turnovers and converting them into easy transition buckets. Their defense has room for improvement, ranking in the bottom third in opponent field goal percentage.
The Pelicans returned Zion after missing all of last season and he hasn’t skipped a beat, averaging 23 points on 61% shooting. New Orleans has struggled with consistency, but the lineup is finally healthy. Having Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum gives the Pelicans elite shot creators next to Williamson. The Pelicans push the pace and crash the offensive boards hard with Jonas Valanciunas. Their high-risk style has led to allowing the 8th most points per game on defense.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New Orleans Pelicans 11/29/23 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Smoothie King Center |
| TV: | |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Joel Embiid C vs Brandon Ingram SF
Joel Embiid has inserted himself in the MVP conversation once again, posting gaudy numbers across the board. He’s a rare big man with the ability to score at all three levels. Embiid combines finesse moves in the post with overpowering physicality rebounding and protecting the rim. While turnovers remain an issue, he has cut down on bad shots. The 76ers rely heavily on Embiid’s two-way dominance. When engaged, he can single-handedly control games. But Embiid has been prone to coasting and foul trouble over his career.
Brandon Ingram broke out last season, making his first All-Star team while averaging 23 points on 47/39/87 shooting splits. He has taken another leap this year, increasing his efficiency despite additional defensive attention. Ingram uses his length to score from all over the floor. He has developed his playmaking, keeping the offense moving when Zion rests. Ingram does need to be more aggressive hunting his shot and limit passive stretches. He will have trouble matching up physically with some 76ers lineups.
This matchup features two versatile forwards in contrasting roles. While Embiid anchors Philly on both ends, Ingram provides valuable shot creation next to Zion. Embiid’s assertiveness and rebounding could prove too much for Ingram and the Pelicans’ small-ball lineups. But Ingram’s perimeter skills give New Orleans a weapon to make Embiid work hard on defense.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -115, Total Odds: 227.5
The current betting odds slightly favor the Philadelphia 76ers, with a -1.5 spread and a moneyline of -115. The total for the game is set at 227.5, reflecting expectations of a high-scoring encounter. Bettors should consider the offensive capabilities of both teams and their recent performances when evaluating these odds.
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends
The 76ers have been an excellent bet this year, covering the spread in 12 of 17 games. They have been even better on short rest, going 11-3 ATS and winning by over 9 points per game. Philadelphia covers by playing clean defense and taking care of the ball. This disciplined style travels well also, with the 76ers covering in 7 of their last 9 road games. They do however struggle in this matchup, failing to cover in 7 of their last 9 games vs the Pelicans.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends
Home games have been profitable for betting the Pelicans, with the home team covering 5 straight in New Orleans. The Pelicans are 6-2 ATS on the season behind Williamson’s return to dominance. But they have trended under lately, hitting the under in 5 of their last 7. New Orleans plays up in tempo significantly at home compared to road games. Their last 4 home games vs Philadelphia stayed under. Divisional games have also stayed under recently, with the under hitting in 5 of New Orleans’ last 6 vs the Atlantic division.
Philadelphia 76ers vs New Orleans Pelicans 11/29/23 Betting Picks
The 76ers enter this contest playing like one of the best teams in basketball. But the Pelicans and Zion pose a tough matchup with their athleticism and home-court advantage. The trends point to Philadelphia given their balanced play, but New Orleans has the talent to keep up. Expect Williamson and Ingram to attack Embiid’s shaky perimeter defense often while the 76ers pound the ball inside. This game features plenty of star power on both sides and should play close. The Pelicans seem undervalued by the spread at home. Free sports selections have the Pelicans covering in a back-and-forth shootout.
Free Pick & Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers 122, New Orleans Pelicans 118