Taylor Bicht
2 min read • March 02, 2023
Posted in
The Thursday TNT prime-time game features two extremely healthy teams with the 76ers traveling to Dallas to face Mavericks team losers in 5 of their last 6 games. Philadelphia on the other hand has played .500 ball in their last 4 games including splitting a home/home with the Miami Heat.
The big news heading into Dallas is will star center Joel Embiid play after missing the second half of the Heat home/home.
Embiid has been nursing left foot soreness for the majority of the season and combined with the 76ers firmly entrenched at the top section of the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia will play it safe with their by avoiding back-to-backs.
That being said, Embiid will be officially listed as questionable heading into the matchup but expect the big-man to suit up and command full usage on offense without losing effectiveness on defense.
In his last 5 games, the All-star is averaging 31.2 ppg and 12.8 rebounds while contributing 2.4 blocks on defense.
With Embiid likely back, Tyrese Maxey will revert back to the second unit somewhere he has flourished since returning from a left foot fracture. In 41 games this year, Maxey has averaged 19.6 points on 45% shooting including scoring 23+ points in the last two.
A healthy Mavericks team will be looking to bounce back against a strong opponent on Thursday but a Rubik’s cube like issue needing solved fast is how to meld the Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving pairing effectively. The pairing has won just once in 5 games together.
Doncic has dealt with multiple ankle issues and a heel injury this season with the latter being the most recent costing him four games. The stud guard has played in the last six Mavericks matchups scoring 26+ points in all including a 39 point effort last time out.
His new partner in crime, Irving, missed just one game since joining Dallas due to a back issue that seems off no concern going forward. The Duke alum has struggled in his last two games shooting just 37.5% from the field.
The one player out for the Mavericks is stretch forward Davis Bertans who will miss his 11th straight game due to a lingering calf issue. Forward Maxi Kleber will look for minutes Thursday in his second game back since tearing his hamstring in practice just before Christmas. His return is great news for the defense as he is considered by coaches and teammates to be one of teams premier defenders.
The Mavericks are favored by 2.5 points at home, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Philadelphia is +1700 to win the NBA Finals, while Dallas is +1700.
76ers +2.5
With just .6 SIC score points between the two teams, 76ers hold value in a game that is closer to a pick’em. Embiid will play in the second half of the back to back and go in with a dominant advantage against a team he averages 28.4 ppg and 10.7 rebounds in his career. Expect no limitations for the center and for the 76ers to keep it close all night.
Written by Taylor Bicht
