Suns vs 76ers Predictions, Odds, Picks | NBA Betting Preview (Wednesday, March 20)

Here's everything you need to know about Suns vs. 76ers on Wednesday, Mar. 20 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today's game in Phoenix.

As the NBA season heats into its crucial stages, the upcoming clash between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night poses significant playoff implications.

Even without MVP Joel Embiid in the lineup for Philadelphia, this encounter promises to be a thrilling spectacle and presents contrasting team dynamics and strategies, making it a goldmine for those looking to dive into each team's respective advanced metrics.

The 76ers have demonstrated a commendable blend of efficiency and discipline throughout the season even without their dominant leader, marked by their 14th ranking in Offensive Rating and leading the league in turnover percentage. Philadelphia possesses meticulous ball handling and decision-making, minimizing wasted opportunities.

However, Philadelphia's 26th rank in effective field goal percentage (eFG%) highlights a struggle in converting shots efficiently, a potential Achilles' heel against a defensively astute team like the Suns.

On the rebounding front, the 76ers’ middle-of-the-pack 14th rank in offensive boards and second in both free throw rate and percentage reflect an ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities from the line, an essential factor in tight contests.

Defensively, the 76ers have been robust, ranking 12th in Defensive Rating and impressively ninth in eFG%, indicating their ability to contest shots effectively. Their fifth rank in turnover percentage also points to a proactive defense capable of disrupting opponents' offensive flows.

However, Philadelphia’s 27th rank in defensive rebounding could expose them to second-chance points against a team with strong offensive rebounders like Phoenix, while their 28th rank in free throw rate suggests a propensity to commit fouls, potentially giving away easy points to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.

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The Suns, on their part, exhibit a balanced and potent offensive unit, securing the ninth spot in Offensive Rating, backed by their eighth rank in eFG%. This efficiency, coupled with their ninth rank in offensive rebounding, indicates a team that not only shoots well but also aggressively pursues additional scoring chances.

Despite their lower 25th rank in turnover percentage, their league-leading free throw rate and eighth rank in free throw percentage signify a team that excels at drawing fouls and converting at the line, something they’ll likely do plenty of tonight against Philadelphia.

Defensively, the Suns mirror the 76ers closely, with a 13th rank in Defensive Rating and an eighth in eFG%, underscoring their competency in limiting opponents' shooting success.

Their relatively lower ranks in turnover percentage (26th) and defensive rebounding (20th) could be seen as vulnerabilities, yet their sixth rank in free throw rate reflects disciplined defense without conceding too many free throws.

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Considering the comparative analysis and the game being in Phoenix, the recommendation leans toward taking the Suns -9 as the best bet.

The Suns' offensive efficiency, combined with their ability to exploit the 76ers' defensive rebounding weakness, positions them as favorites to not only win but also cover the spread. Their comparable defensive metrics, alongside the 76ers' lower eFG%, further tilt the odds in favor of Phoenix capitalizing on their home-court advantage.

Without Embiid in the lineup, Phoenix should be able to dominate the boards while also garnering plenty of free throws with their elite ball handlers.

Take the Suns -9 and expect a double-digit win in the Valley tonight.

Pick: Suns -9

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