NBA Best Bets: Magic Over Sixers with Embiid Out

The line moved when news broke that Joel Embiid would sit. Should you bet the Magic over the Sixers?

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a seven-game NBA slate tonight. The Rockets and Clippers are in Houston for an early-season showdown, the Sixers are in Orlando on a back-to-back, the Celtics will try to keep their winning streak going against the Wizards, and the Lakers and Warriors meet in what should have been the game of the night.

Tonight we are fading trendy road underdogs.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Orlando Magic: Magic -2.5

Joel Embiid will miss tonight’s game in Orlando as he rests on the second leg of a home/road back-to-back. Last night the Sixers didn't lay the number in a 1-point home victory over the Cavaliers. This game opened up with Philadelphia as a 1-point favorite, but when bettors realized that Joel Embiid would be out the line moved to Orlando -2.5 points. This is the most bet on NBA game tonight with the public backing the Sixers on 6 out of 10 tickets. This a classic spot to fade the trendy road dog Sixers. You may not be comfortable laying the number with less than average Orlando, but the Magic have three home wins on the season and they successfully laid the number in each of those games, albeit vs. the Knicks, Grizzlies and Cavaliers.

Los Angels Clippers vs Houston Rockets: Rockets -2.5

This is another spot where I am going to fade a trendy road underdog. Vegas opened this game up as a pick 'em between these two Western Conference powerhouses. The public is backing the Clippers, yet smart money pushed the Rockets to a -2.5-point favorite. Houston is on a four-game winning streak straight up and they are 3-1 against the spread during the same stretch. The Rockets have been very good at laying the number at home this season and I think they will do so again this evening. The Clippers are playing their first road game of the month of November tonight.

Toronto Raptors vs Portland Trail Blazers: Blazers -2.5

Portland is having a tough go to start the season. They only have one victory in their last six games. The Blazers are 1-3 on their home court. Damian Lilliard and C.J. McCollum have plenty of time to turn the season around. The defending champs are going in the opposite direction. Toronto has won three of their last four, with road wins over the Pelicans and Lakers included in that stretch, with their lone loss coming at Staples Center vs. the Clippers. The line on this game opened up with Portland as a 4.5-point favorite and has been bet down to Trail Blazers -2.5. NBA bettors should pay attention when a line moves two whole points. Once again we are going to fade a trendy underdog, especially one playing its fourth game of a four-game West Coast trip.

Season Record: 13-18