Fourteen sucke … err … risk-takers bet on the Philadelphia 76ers to win the NBA Championship at the LVH SuperBook.
It doesn’t appear those gambles will pay off.
The Sixers (15-42 SU, 22-35 ATS) have lost 11 straight heading into tonight’s home game against the Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET). They’ve lost by an average margin of 20.3 points during the stretch. The most notable result of Philly’s slide: A 20-point home loss to the woeful Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
Line: Magic -3, Total: 215
The Sixers are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games, and 8-21 ATS at home this season. Oddsmakers fear the worst is to come.
“The reaction to inflate lines (against Philadelphia) from our perspective was due to their activity at the trade deadline,” said Jeff Sherman, assistant manager and NBA oddsmaker at the LVH. “They took an already bad team and made it worse. They lost Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes and (are discussing a) buyout with Danny Granger. So they just ensured themselves (the distinction) of being the worst team in the league, whether their record ends up like that or not.”
Clearly, the tanking has begun, leaving handicappers to gauge how much pride this team of no-names has. The Sixers’ starting lineup against the Bucks consisted of Byron Mullens, Henry Sims, Elliot Williams, Hollis Thompson and Eric Maynor.
“We’re better than we showed tonight,” Philadelphia veteran forward Thaddeus Young told reporters after Monday’s loss.
The Magic aren’t much better. In fact, the Sixers (-3.5) beat Orlando, 126-125, in Philly on Dec. 3. However, the Magic have owned this series, winning seven of the last 10 meetings straight-up and going 9-1 ATS in those games.
Orlando (17-42 SU, 24-33-2 ATS) lost at Washington on Tuesday night, 115-106, pushing as a 9-point underdog. The Magic have lost their last four second halves of back-to-backs, going 1-3 ATS.
The 76ers are 2-18 ATS as home underdogs this season.
For our complete NBA betting preview, including a lean on Rockets-Clippers, jump on over to The Linemakers on Sporting News.
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