The Sixers and Hawks tip-off Game 6 of their series tonight at 7:30 (ESPN). With Joel Embiid and company looking to stave off elimination in Atlanta, here’s four props (and one bonus) to bet for tonight’s matchup.
Game total: OVER 223.5
The Over is 31-23 in games officiated by Scott Foster this season. While high free throw totals in this series haven’t led to the Over in the last two games, if the Sixers can shoot better out from the stripe then this total should soar. The Under may be the trendy play given how the second halves unfolded in Games 4 & 5—and its attracting the majority of bets and cash—but I see too many paths for the Over here after two consecutive depressed outputs.
*you can find a lower total elsewhere, but this number is from FanDuel
Ben Simmons OVER 14.5 points (+110)
Simmons hit his point total in our most recent prop piece for Game 3, and he has a habit of responding to poor shooting nights with more aggression in his following outing. I expect him to continue this trend tonight and get to the rim early and often.
Trae Young OVER 9.5 assists (-110)
Young’s assist totals in this series read as follows: 10-11-8-18-7. Everything runs through Trae in this offense, and that will only become more true as they try to close out the series. I could sit here and tell you that the Sixers are saving their best defensive performances for last, but the more Trae gets a look at our defense the better he’s been able to navigate and beat it.
Joel Embiid UNDER 50.5 points + rebounds + assists (-108)
Embiid is averaging 22 points in his career in elimination games, and something tells me his second half struggles from Games 4 and 5 continue in this game as well. In the event that he does come out guns blazing and stuffing the stat sheet, a blowout win leaves open the possibility for rest keeping this number Under. Fading an injured Embiid with the possibility of a back-door win seems like the smart play given his health/conditioning and how this series has unraveled so far.