Ad Disclosure
Sixers vs. Wizards Betting Preview (August 5, 2020)
By Russ Joy
Published:
On Wednesday afternoon, the Sixers and Wizards meet in an Eastern Conference matchup with serious implications for Philadelphia’s playoff seeding, while Washington is all but eliminated from postseason contention.
Let’s get into our Sixers-Wizards betting preview, including odds, boosts, and picks.
But before we do, FOX Bet has a 76 to 1 odds offer on any Sixers bet in August. Sign up in Pennsylvania here and in New Jersey here.
Preview
These teams will enter play in what should be a lopsided affair; heavy emphasis on should as the Philadelphia 76ers have proven time and time again that their fourth quarter defense cannot be trusted. In their first game in Orlando, the Sixers allowed TJ Warren to go off for a career-high 53 points, while also allowing Indiana to drop a ridiculous 46 fourth quarter points.
The team followed that woeful performance with another defensive dud, allowing San Antonio to score 43 points in the fourth quarter. After that game, head coach Brett Brown said of the team’s defense, “I think it stinks.” Luckily for the Sixers, they were able to eek out a 132-130 win, evening their record in the NBA bubble at 1-1.
The Wizards are winless in three games since the NBA season restarted in the Orlando bubble and deservedly so. Quite frankly, the Wizards never belonged in Orlando and their chances of catching the Orlando Magic were dismal from the get-go.
This was all compounded by the opt-out of sharpshooter Davis Bertans, who looked to protect what will likely be a big payday this off-season, as well as a rotator cuff injury to the team’s star guard Bradley Beal. With all of that in mind, the team has managed to average just over 107 points per game.
Sixers vs. Wizards Odds
Here’s the line for the Sixers and Wizards at DraftKings Sportsbook PA:
- Spread: Sixers -10.5, Wizards +10.5
- Moneyline: Sixers -560, Wizards +425
- Total: 231.5
Bets We Like With a Sixers Win
FiveThirtyEight gives the Sixers an 89% chance of winning with a -13 point line. So the Sixers have an implied win probability, based on the moneyline, of 84.8%.
This is interesting for a number of reasons, considering that the DraftKings moneyline is a full 2.5 points off FiveThirtyEight’s projection. This is a growing trend with Sixers games, furthering a chasm that exists between what the numbers might tell you versus the human interpretation of the numbers, including analysis of the Sixers’ defensive deficiencies.
If you combine both approaches, it’s clear that the Sixers should win and arguably should win by double digits, but it might be a risky bet due to the inherent variance seen between the projections and sportsbook spread.
Sixers Win and Over 231.5 Total Points (+130, DraftKings)
As a -560 moneyline favorite, there’s not a ton of value to bet on the Sixers to win outright without combining the result with another bet. However, taking the Sixers to win and over 231.5 total points has real value. The Sixers are a double digit favorite over the Wizards, which is a good sign for Philadelphia as the favorite has won in each of the Wizards past 10 games.
It might seem like a safe bet to take the Sixers to win and under 231.5 total points (+125 at DraftKings), since it’s a really high o/u, but there are a few trends that make the over the right bet. Every one of the Sixers’ past eight games has gone over the total points threshold, and the team has averaged 126.5 points per game in two games played in the bubble. The Wizards, meanwhile, have averaged 107.3 points per game across their three contests in Orlando. Another positive trend is that the Sixers’ first two opponents, the Pacers and Spurs, scored the most single-game points against the Sixers than any other opponent.
You can get this one at DraftKings Sportsbook by clicking here.
Sixers Win and Over 230.5 Total Points (+115, FOX Bet)
See the analysis above, with one slight difference. While this bet is marginally different in terms of odds, it brings the total points threshold down by one point, which might be enough to push this over the top.
New users at FOX Bet can get a $20 bonus bet with no deposit and a $100 deposit match when they sign up in PA here and NJ here.
Bets We Like Independent of Outcome
Ben Simmons and Ish Smith Both Assists > 4.5 (+122, FanDuel)
There’s real value on this player prop bet in which both Ben Simmons and Ish Smith need to record five or more assists in the game. Ben Simmons has dished out eight or more assists in his past seven games against the Wizards, averaging 10.5 assists per game in two games against Washington this season.
Ish Smith has averaged five assists per game in two matchups against Philadelphia this season and has dished out at least five assists in 12 of his last 15 opponents overall.
FanDuel Sportsbook has this bet available for users when they click here.
Must 21+ and present in participating state. Gambling problem? Call 1 - 800 - GAMBLER.
CLAIM OFFER
Any Sixers Bet (76 to 1 Odds FOX Bet)
As noted above, FOX Bet is has a wild 76 to 1 odds offer on any Sixers bet this month. Sign up using the links here depending on your state and place your first bet for $1 on any Sixers single game bet (opt-in by selecting “challenges” once you’re signed up). You’ll be credited $76 win or lose.
SIGNUP LINK$500 BET!
SIGNUP LINK$500 BET!
SIGNUP LINK$500 BET!
SIGNUP LINK$500 BET!
Sixers vs. Wizards Prediction
Pick: The Sixers will win this game, though I wouldn’t touch the spread with a 10ft. pole. Depending on your preference, take the Sixers to win and over 230.5 or 231.5 points at FOX Bet or DraftKings Sportsbook, respectively. While you’re at FOX Bet, take advantage of their 76-to-1 odds offer. You should also take a hard look at the Simmons/Smith assists prop, perhaps parlaying it with another bet you like.
Take the Sixers and over 230.5 or 231.5 points.
Russ Joy is a commercial editor for XLMedia PLC, co-host of Snow The Goalie: A Flyers Podcast and It's Just Wrestling Podcast, and a Philadelphia Flyers writer for CrossingBroad.com. A graduate of West Chester University of PA and California University of PA, Russ is also a husband and father of four. Follow him on Twitter: @JoyOnBroad Email: russell.joy@xlmedia.com