There is an NBA betting adage about being “careful for what you wish for.” That may eventually apply to the Philadelphia 76ers. Last week the 76ers finally got rid of 2021 NBA Playoffs scapegoat Ben Simmons. Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden. Initially, there was tremendous excitement in the City of Brotherly Love about the arrival of Harden. Not to mention Simmons’ departure. But Harden is not an easy personality to deal with. He epitomizes a high-maintenance NBA superstar. Additionally, Harden is also out of the lineup with a hamstring issue until late February.
Philadelphia 76ers SBG Futures Odds
| 76ers | Odds |
|---|---|
| NBA Championship | +700 |
| Eastern Conference Championship | +250 |
Philadelphia 76ers SBG Odds Overview
Last year at this time, Ben Simmons was considered one of the top online wagering assets in the NBA. But Simmons took full blame from media, fans, and gamblers for the 76ers playoff flop last year. As a result, he and the 76ers agreed that they had to part ways. And then, after several months of haggling, Philadelphia finally found a taker for Simmons. In return, they got one of the NBA’s most iconic scorers.
Philadelphia 76ers Season Overview
As the NBA betting All-Star Break approached, the Philadelphia 76ers had a record of 34-22 straight up, 27-28-1 against the spread, and 22-32 under the total. Even playing shorthanded without Simmons, the 76ers were just 2.5 games out of the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Overall, the 76ers had NBA metrics of 21st for scoring offense, 30th for offensive rebounds, 6th for points allowed, and 20th for defensive rebounding.
Last year at this time, Ben Simmons was considered one of the greatest assets in the NBA. But Simmons took full blame from media, fans, and gamblers for the 76ers playoff flop last year. As a result, he and the 76ers agreed that they had to part ways. And then, after several months of haggling, Philadelphia finally found a taker for Simmons. In return, they got one of the NBA’s most iconic scorers.
James Harden is a 3-time NBA scoring champion and 10-time NBA All-Star. Additionally, he was the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player. When he is healthy and in the right frame of mind, Harden is a transformative player. In essence, Philadelphia has been playing shorthanded without Ben Simmons. Assuming Harden returns soon, the trade is an immediate upgrade, at least for the short term.
Namely, Joel Embiid is the marquee man of the 76ers and a 5-time NBA All-Star, including this year. Embiid was the 3rd overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft out of Kansas. So far this season, Embiid is averaging 29.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
Head coach Doc Rivers is a successful NBA leader. Yet Rivers has his share of detractors for what is perceived to be underachieving teams. Rivers led the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship. While with the Clippers, Rivers’ best results were three Western Conference finals appearances. In 2020, the Clippers finished 49-23. However, their playoff failure cost Rivers his job. And then it brought on severe criticism that he failed to get the most out of his team.
Certainly, the 76ers will get a sugar rush when James Harden takes the hardwood. But the big question is how far the 76ers can go when the thrill is gone?