The series between the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers shifts to Atlanta, Georgia tied at a game a each. Game one was not pretty for the Philadelphia 76ers. They came out flat in the first quarter and could never make up for it. In game two, they came out and set the pace and physicality for the game early on to win easily and cover. Joel Embiid has been unstoppable so far in this series and the 76ers defense has seemed to figure it out the last six quarters.

The Pick: 76ers -1.5 (-110)

The Why: 76ers Physicality 

Let's be honest, the 76ers did not take the Hawks very serious in the first half of game one. The Hawks did whatever they wanted to offensively and the 76ers put up no resistance to Trae Young and let him score an easy 35. In game two, the 76ers got a lot more physical with the smaller Hawks. Ben Simmons did a good job defensively on Young by only allowing him to score 21. It all starts with physicality. Expect the 76ers to bully the Hawks at both ends of the floor in game three.

Offensively for the 76ers, it all comes down to Joel Embiid and what the 76ers do in the paint. Emiiid has scored 39 and 40 in the two games this series. The Hawks have no way of stopping him. He is shooting well over 50% from the field and a high clip from three. With so much attention being out on Embiid, this is allowing the 76ers to get shooters like Seth Curry and Shake Milton good looks from behind the arch. In the playoffs, the 76ers are shooting 38% from three and are shooting over 51% from the field. That is efficient offense and I expect that to continue, even with the change of venue.

We're going to lay the small number and take the 76ers. In their last series against the Wizards, the 76ers took the series over in game three and I expect that to be the case in this one. The Hawks won't stop Embiid and missing De'Andre Hunter for the remainder of the playoffs is a big deal. Hawks have had a nice run, but it's time to separate the men from the boys. All in all, take the 76ers to win and cover on the road.

Trends We’re Betting On

76ers are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games

76ers are 10-4-1 ATS last 15 as road favorites

76ers are 15-4 SU in their last 19 games

76ers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 playoff games as favorites

Yesterday’s Pick: Jazz -3 💰

Back to the winning side with a clutch late game performance from the Jazz. Donovan Mitchell was incredible all night. I got a little worried down the stretch because it felt similar late in the game to how it did in game one. We cash! Let's do it some more!

AtoZ Pick Of The Day Record: 5-4-1

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