76ers vs. Blazers NBA expert prediction and odds for Monday, Jan. 29 (No rest, no problem for Portland)
The Philadelphia 76ers return home Monday and hope to have reigning Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid back in the lineup. Embiid (knee) missed the 76ers’ 111-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday and is questionable for Monday’s matchup at Portland.
Philadelphia has started its five-game road trip with back-to-back losses. Prior to coming up short in Denver, the 76ers’ defense struggled mightily against the high-flying Pacers in a 134-122 defeat. Can they get right in Portland?
Portland is a season-high 20 games below .500 (13-33) after coming up short to the Bulls on Sunday, 104-96. Can they stay within the big number on Monday or will Philadelphia cruise on the road?
Here’s a betting preview for Monday’s matchup with a best bet.
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76ers vs. Blazers odds, spread and total
76ers vs. Blazers how to watch
- Date: Monday, Jan. 29
- Game time: 10 p.m. EST
- Venue: Moda Center
- How to watch (TV): NBA TV
- 76ers record: 29-15
- Blazers record: 13-32
76ers vs. Blazers injury reports
Philadelphia 76ers injury report
- Tyrese Maxey (ankle): questionable
- Joel Embiid (knee): questionable
- Tobias Harris (illness): questionable
- Kenneth Lofton Jr. (personal): out
Portland Trail Blazers injury report
- No injuries to report
76ers vs. Blazers key players to watch
76ers
Paul Reed: The 6-foot-9 small forward is averaging 6.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this season. Reed had scored in double figures just six times this season and once in January when he had an elevated role in Saturday’s loss in Denver. Reed delivered, turning in 30 points on 14-of-21 shooting and 13 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
Blazers
DeAndre Ayton: Although Portland’s offense is struggling, the former No. 1 overall pick returned from injury Jan. 19 and is averaging a double-double per night at 13.8 points and 10 rebounds. Ayton has recorded three straight double-doubles, recently pouring in 22 points and grabbing 12 boards in Sunday’s 104-96 loss to Chicago. Ayton is 27-of-42 from the field over the last three games and is in the spotlight Monday, especially if Embiid misses a second-straight game.
76ers vs. Blazers prediction and pick
The shorthanded Sixers played inspired and put together a scrappy underdog performance in covering against Denver as an 8-point dog on Saturday. Philadelphia was without three key starters in Embiid, Harris and Maxey. Simply put, it’s too much to lay double-digit points on the road with this squad if they remain out.
It’s a big ask to win with margin without a trio that combines for 79.4 points, 21 rebounds and 15.6 assists per game. While their status for Monday’s game is still up in the air, Portland is a league-best 6-2 against the spread with no rest.
The Blazers are on the tail end of a back-to-back Monday night and have gone 3-3 ATS since DeAndre Ayton returned from injury and forward Jerami Grant (21.2 points per game) has continued to be a bright spot in Portland’s lineup. Take the points.
Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.