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The Philadelphia 76ers aim to put a stranglehold on a 2023 NBA playoff first-round series on Thursday evening. The Sixers visit Barclays Center to take on the Brooklyn Nets in Game 3, with Philadelphia leading 2-0. The matchup opens a three-game night of playoff action in the NBA, with the Nets seeking a much-needed win to climb back into the series. Brooklyn was 23-18 at home this season, while Philadelphia was 25-16 in road games in 2022-23.

Philadelphia is listed as a 5-point favorite, and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 210 in the latest 76ers vs. Nets odds. Before you make any Nets vs. 76ers picks, you need to see the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 71-37 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Sixers vs. Nets and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Nets vs. Sixers:

  • 76ers vs. Nets spread: 76ers -5
  • 76ers vs. Nets over/under: 210 points 
  • 76ers vs. Nets money line: 76ers -205, Nets +170
  • PHL: The 76ers are 23-18 against the spread in the last 10 games 
  • BKN: The Nets are 19-21-1 against the spread in the last 10 games 
  • 76ers vs. Nets picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why the 76ers can cover

Philadelphia is known for its offensive production, with the 76ers ranking in the top four of the league in offensive efficiency during the regular season and scoring 119.9 points per 100 possessions so far in the playoffs. Joel Embiid is a monster and a difficult matchup for anyone, but the 76ers also have tremendous defensive metrics on their side. In the first two games, Philadelphia held Brooklyn to 101.6 points per 100 possessions, and the 76ers secured almost 84% of available defensive rebounds. The 76ers also gave up only 30 points in the paint and 16 free throw attempts per game, with Philadelphia generating 11 steals per contest.

In the regular season, Philadelphia finished as a top-eight defense in points allowed per possession, and the 76ers ranked in the top six in 3-point accuracy allowed, assists allowed, and second-chance points allowed. Brooklyn also struggles in key offensive areas, ranking No. 25 or worse in the NBA in free throw creation, offensive rebound rate, and points scored in the paint. See who to back at SportsLine.

Why the Nets can cover

Brooklyn has offensive strengths, including the ability to deploy lineups with five shooters. The Nets also have strong defensive bonafides, including the league's best mark in blocking 6.2 shots per game this season. Brooklyn also finished in the top four of the NBA in field goal percentage allowed, 2-point percentage allowed, and assists allowed. Philadelphia has traditionally struggled on the offensive glass, producing only 11.3 second-chance points per game with a 25.8% offensive rebound rate this season.

Brooklyn also has a +3.4 net rating at home this season, and the Nets are fantastic in creating and making quality shots. Brooklyn shot 48.7% from the field and 37.8% from 3-point range this season, with the Nets also making 80% of free throw attempts. Mikal Bridges leads the way for the Nets, and he is averaging 25.5 points per game on 54.5% shooting during the series after generating 26.1 points per game following a mid-season trade. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make 76ers vs. Nets picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 220 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all of the value. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Nets vs. 76ers? And which side of the spread has all of the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is 71-37 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.