Steve Starr
- The Philadelphia 76ers are 4-point home favorites over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies
- Joel Embiid is averaging a career-high 33.1 points per contest this season
- Thursday’s NBA on TNT showdown tips off from Wells Fargo Center at 7:30 pm ET
Two of the best teams in the league square off on Thursday night when the NBA returns to play from its week-long All-Star Break. Sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference, the 76ers (38-19) welcome the Memphis Grizzlies (35-22) to Philadelphia.
Before we examine the odds and break down the matchup, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 NBA Finals and our tips for betting on the NBA.
76ers vs Grizzlies
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +4 (-110) | TBD | Ov 229.5 (-110) |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -4 (-110) | TBD | Un 229.5 (-110) |
Embiid submits All Star effort
Despite almost missing the All-Star Game with lingering foot soreness, Joel Embiid put up 32 points, six rebounds and four assists for Team LeBron on Sunday night. Somewhat hilariously, the 76ers center was reportedly urging his teammates to play harder on defense in the 184-175 loss to Team Giannis.
While no one listened obviously, Embiid should enjoy the brand of basketball being played on Thursday. Memphis has the third-best defensive rating (109.8) in the NBA while Philadelphia ranks sixth (111.7).
Joel Embiid dropped 32 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, and 4 threes for #TeamLeBron Sunday night 💪#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/P7xf9MULrj
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2023
Hibernating Grizzlies
In one of the funnier moments of All-Star weekend, Giannis Antetokounmpo prematurely drafted Ja Morant before starters were eligible to be chosen. That was pretty much the highlight of the Memphis star’s Sunday night. Morant managed just six points in 20 minutes.
His Grizzlies teammate Jaren Jackson Jr., the last pick from the reserves bunch at the All-Star Game, also put up only six points, albeit in just eight minutes of action.
Philadelphia vs Memphis
Philadelphia is favored by 4 points over the visiting Grizzlies on Thursday. Memphis is 1-10 straight up in games when they’re listed as the underdog, so don’t expect an upset here. Taylor Jenkins’ club is also only 9-18-1 against the spread while on the road. Making matters worse, the 76ers are 20-10-1 ATS on home court – tied with the Nuggets for the best mark in the NBA.
Averaging a career-high 33.1 points per contest this season, Joel Embiid sits second in the NBA MVP race to Nikola Jokic. His Sixers entered the All-Star Break with four-straight victories while the Grizz have lost ten of their past 13 games.
JA MORANT TAKES FLIGHT ✈️ 🛩️ pic.twitter.com/2tKk2VrADP
— Digits Hoops (🏀,📊) (@Digits3Hoops) February 20, 2023
Best Bet
After a horrible start, Doc Rivers’ team is 26-7 in their last 33 games. That the best record in the NBA over that stretch. In addition to getting MVP-level play from Embiid, James Harden is leading the league with 10.8 assists per game. The Beard’s 39 percent 3-point shooting is also his best mark beyond the mark in over a decade.
While Philly has begun to resemble true contenders in the East, the Grizzlies’ recent play suggests they have little hope of competing against the Suns, Nuggets and Clippers out West. We like the 76ers to cover the 4 points handily. And, given that both teams excel on defense, we’ll take the UNDER on 229.5 points.
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