Bryan Bash’s 3-unit best bet is locked on the side for tonight’s Wizards vs. 76ers clash. Get the full betting preview, key injury updates (Embiid OUT!), and tips for betting the low-road dog.
The Setup: Wizards at 76ers
The 76ers are laying 13 points at home against a Wizards squad that’s limping into Philly at 3-16, and the books are practically begging you to fade Washington. But here’s the thing—I’ve seen this movie before, and when a line screams “easy money,” that’s usually when Vegas takes your lunch money. The Wizards just snapped a 14-game losing streak and grabbed two wins in their last three, including a gutsy performance against Milwaukee where CJ McCollum dropped 28 and hit the dagger three with 14 seconds left. Meanwhile, the 76ers are 10-9 and coming off a double-overtime loss to Atlanta where they blew a chance to protect home court despite getting Joel Embiid back. The market’s disrespecting Washington here, but with Alexandre Sarr out for the Wizards and Paul George questionable for Philly, this number feels inflated. Sharp money knows what’s up here—this spread is designed to make you think the 76ers are a safe play, but at 13 points, you’re laying a lot of chalk on a team that’s barely above .500 and just 5-6 at home.
Game Info & Betting Lines
Game Time: December 2, 2025, 7:00 ET
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena
Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -13.0 (-110) | Washington Wizards +13.0 (-110)
Moneyline: 76ers -841 | Wizards +534
Total: Over/Under 235.5 (-110)
Why This Line Exists (Market Psychology)
Let’s talk about why Vegas set this number at 13. The public’s all over Philadelphia here—and why wouldn’t they be? You’ve got a 10-9 team hosting a 3-16 dumpster fire that’s been one of the worst teams in the league all season. The Wizards are 1-10 on the road, and that’s the kind of record that makes casual bettors salivate at the thought of laying points with the home favorite. But here’s what the market isn’t telling you: that -841 moneyline on the 76ers is astronomical. Vegas is essentially saying there’s almost no chance Washington wins this game straight up, which means all the value is in the spread. The books want you to think this is a blowout waiting to happen, but Philly’s been inconsistent all year. They’re 5-6 at home, which means they’ve lost more games than they’ve won at Xfinity Mobile Arena. And let’s not forget—they just lost in double overtime to Atlanta at home, a game where Jalen Johnson went nuclear for 41 points. That’s the kind of loss that sticks with a team. The 76ers have Paul George listed as questionable with back tightness and knee issues, and Andre Drummond is also questionable. If either of those guys sits, this line becomes even softer. The Wizards might be terrible, but they just showed life by winning two of three, and 13 points is a massive cushion in a league where teams regularly go on 10-0 runs in three minutes.
Wizards Breakdown: What You Need to Know
Washington is a disaster on paper, but they’re not rolling over anymore. That 14-game losing streak is in the rearview mirror, and they’ve got some fight in them after taking down Milwaukee 129-126 on Monday. CJ McCollum has been solid, averaging 18.4 PPG with 3.4 assists, and he’s the veteran presence this young squad needs. KyShawn George is putting up 15.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 4.8 APG, giving them a secondary playmaker who can create. The problem? Alexandre Sarr is out, and he’s their best player—19.1 PPG and 8.6 RPG. Losing Sarr is a massive blow to their frontcourt, and with Corey Kispert also out with a fractured thumb, the Wizards are down two key rotation pieces. They’re also 1-10 on the road, which tells you everything about their ability to win away from home. But here’s the kicker: they don’t need to win this game. They just need to stay within 13, and against a 76ers team that’s been inconsistent, that’s not an impossible ask. Washington’s shown they can score—they put up 129 against Milwaukee—and if they can keep this game competitive into the fourth quarter, that spread becomes live.
76ers Breakdown: The Other Side
Philadelphia is supposed to be the team that rolls here, but I’m not buying the hype. They’re 10-9, which is fine, but they’re not exactly dominating. Tyrese Maxey has been carrying the load with 32.3 PPG and 7.6 APG, and he’s been the best player on the floor most nights. Joel Embiid is back, but he’s clearly not himself—19.4 PPG and 5.3 RPG are well below his usual standards, and he only played 30 minutes in that double-overtime loss to Atlanta. That’s a guy who’s still working his way back, not a dominant force. Quentin Grimes is probable with calf soreness, but the real concern is Paul George. If PG sits with back and knee issues, the 76ers lose a ton of two-way versatility. And Andre Drummond being questionable means their frontcourt depth could be compromised. The 76ers are 5-6 at home, which is mediocre at best, and they just got torched by Jalen Johnson in a game they should’ve controlled. This is exactly the spot where Philadelphia burns you—coming off an emotional double-overtime loss, laying double digits against a bad team, with key players banged up. The market wants you to think this is a layup, but I’m not laying 13 with a team that’s been this inconsistent.
The Matchup: Where This Game Gets Decided
The pace and tempo here will be crucial. If the 76ers push the pace and get out in transition, they can blow this game open. Maxey thrives in uptempo situations, and with Washington missing Sarr’s rim protection, Philly should have opportunities to attack the paint. But if the Wizards can slow this game down and keep it in the halfcourt, they’ve got a shot to stay within the number. McCollum is a crafty veteran who knows how to manage a game, and George has shown he can facilitate and keep possessions alive. The 76ers’ home-court advantage at Xfinity Mobile Arena should matter, but their 5-6 record at home tells me they haven’t been able to consistently protect their building. The injury situation is the wild card—if Paul George sits, the 76ers lose a massive piece of their offense and defense. If Drummond is out, they’re thin in the frontcourt, which could allow Washington to stay competitive on the glass. The total is set at 235.5, which feels about right given both teams have the ability to score. But in a game where the 76ers are expected to dominate, I’m more interested in the spread than the total. Washington’s 1-10 road record is ugly, but they’ve shown they can compete when they’re locked in, and 13 points is a lot of rope to give a team that just beat Milwaukee.
Bash’s Best Bet & The Play
I’m hammering Wizards +13 before this number moves. Look, I’m not saying Washington wins this game—they probably don’t. But 13 points is too many to lay on a 76ers team that’s been wildly inconsistent at home and just lost a double-overtime heartbreaker to Atlanta. The Wizards have life after snapping that losing streak, and with McCollum and George capable of keeping this game competitive, I like the cushion. If Paul George sits for Philly, this line becomes even softer, and I’d consider adding to the position. The public’s all over the 76ers here, which means we’re getting value on the dog. This is a 3-unit play on Wizards +13, and I’m confident Washington keeps this closer than the market expects. Vegas knows something we don’t, but I’m not buying it—give me the points and the team that’s playing with house money.
