Hawks at 76ers Game 1 Pick ATS

Atlanta Hawks (41-31 SU, 39-32 ATS) at Philadelphia 76ers (49-23, 38-31), 6/6/21
When: 1 pm ET Sunday, June 6
Where: Wells Fargo Center
TV: ABC
Point spread: Atl +2.5/Phil -2.5
Total: 220.5

It’s sad when a potentially great playoff match-up is dimmed by the absence of a key player, but that’s what we might have with this Eastern Conference semifinals series between the 76ers and Hawks, which tips off Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia. Philly big man Joel Embiid, enjoying his finest season as a pro, is now dealing with a tweaked knee and may not be available for not just this Game 1 but the entire series. And that would be a huge pair of shoes for the Sixers to fill. Nonetheless, Philadelphia is lined as a -180 favorite to win this series and a short favorite on the point spread for Game 1. Here’s our homework on this game, with our pick against the spread.

NBA Playoffs Betting Odds

The NBA playoffs betting market opened Philadelphia at -4 for Sunday’s game, with an O/U of 220.5. Early betting action then cut that spread by a point and a half, to -2.5. Any bettors out there, like us, who think Atlanta might win this game outright could get +135 on the Game 1 money line at BetOnline Sportsbook. Philly is also lined as a -180 favorite to win this series, with the Hawks getting +160 as the underdogs. Which also might be worth a tickle.

Hawks-76ers NBA Playoffs Betting Preview

Atlanta reached this Eastern Conference semifinals series by knocking out the New York Knicks in five games in that first-round series, clinching it with a 103-89 victory Wednesday night at MSG. The Hawks, who were lined as -125 favorites to win that series even though they didn’t own home-court advantage, won Game 1 in New York, let the Knicks pull even in Game 2, then swept the next three games. So Atlanta is now 31-12 SU, 25-17 ATS since putting Coach McMillan in chargeback in April.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, advanced to this conference semifinals series by beating Washington in five games in that first-round series. The Sixers won the first two games rather easily at home, then romped to victory in Game 3 in DC. Philly let the Wizards avoid the sweep in Game 4 but closed things out with a 129-112 Game 5 victory at home Wednesday night.

Stretching back into April, the 76ers are 14-3 SU, 11-6 ATS over their last 17 games.

The big news surrounding this series is the health of Sixers C Joel Embiid, who tweaked a knee in Game 4 of the series against Washington, sat out Game 5, and is listed as questionable for this Game 1. The Sixers lost that Game 4, as Embiid only played 11 minutes, but won Game 5 without him.

During the regular season, Philly played 10-11 SU, 10-10 ATS without Embiid.

Philadelphia played eight games better than Atlanta in the regular-season standings, 49-23 to 41-31, and took the season series from the Hawks two games to one. Atlanta took the first meeting back in January 112-94, a game the Sixers’ Ben Simmons missed. Philadelphia then won the second meeting in April 127-83, a game the Hawks’ Trae Young missed. The 76ers then beat Atlanta two days later, 126-104, a game everyone played.

Hawks-Sixers NBA Betting Trends

The Hawks played 16-20 SU, 16-19 ATS on the road this season. The Sixers played 29-7 SU, 22-13 ATS at home this season. Atlanta played 16-21 SU, 17-19 ATS vs. teams that made the playoffs this season. The Sixers played 21-16 SU, 16-19 ATS vs. teams that made the playoffs this season.

Totals Report

The Under was 37-35 in Hawks games this season, which averaged 225 total points. The Under was 38-34 in Sixers games this season, which averaged 222 points. The Under was 2-1 in Hawks-Sixers games this season, which averaged 215 total points against an average O/U of 220.

Free NBA Playoffs Pick

Our guess is Embiid will not play Sunday, and that makes all the difference in our pick. With him, Philadelphia is a title contender; without him, not so much. Meanwhile, Atlanta rides a wave of momentum into this series, with a good young team playing with verve. And they’ve certainly taken to Coach McMillan. We like the Hawks here for the win on the money line.