Phoenix at Philadelphia

The public loves the high-scoring team, and the odds-makers react in kind. The Phoenix Suns are among the highest scoring teams in the NBA, and with that comes a lot of action backing them. The Sixers have been doormats in the NBA for quite a while now, and with that comes no respect. Now the facts and their associated value. The Sixers are a completely changed team over their last 24 games. They are 19-5 while the Suns are 14-10. If this was 24 games into the season, think for a second what this line would be? Philly would be the favorite at home. So what has changed for the Sixers? Why are they so good now? The first 44 games they went 19-23-2 ATS, scoring 100 points just 11 times (25%). Their last 28 games, they have reached the century mark 18 times or 64.2% of the time. Their offense produced 92.9 ppg over the first 44 games versus 105.8 ppg in the last 28. So did they decide to play uptempo? No. Their defense and points allowed is the same! They have come together offensively, and have become a good team. Those 18 games where they scored 100 points, they are 17-1 SU and the game they lost, they covered! The total is set at 218 for this game, indicating Philadelphia is likely to score 108, so 100 is certainly a high percentage opportunity. The reson they are 17-1 when they score 100 is they are now a high scoring team that also plays defense. That is not the case with Phoenix. The Suns are 9-16-1 ATS the last 26 games they have given up 100+ points. Since their surge, the Sixers have played nine games with a total of 200+, and have gone 7-2 ATS. Their first 44 games they played five with a total of 200+ and went 0-5 ATS. They have played nine games with a total in the 190s since their surge, and are 8-1 ATS, while they were 5-9 ATS before. That means they are now 15-3 ATS in games expected to be higher scoring, while before their offense got going they were 5-14 ATS in these games. Certainly the wrong team is favored here, and we will back the Sixers.