We're still waiting on our first-round matchup bet for The Masters to come in due to a Thursday rain delay, so let's move on to Friday's selection. We're eyeing up an NBA total for our last Look of the Day of the week.
The 76ers are a much different team with Joel Embiid back on the court. In five games since Embiid returned to the lineup, the Sixers rank second in the NBA in defensive rating and opponent field-goal percentage. And that stretch includes a game in which Philadelphia gave up 126 points to the San Antonio Spurs with Embiid on the bench. In the four games he's played, the Sixers have given up an average of only 102.0 points.
The Orlando Magic have been one of the best under teams in the NBA all season. Orlando ranks third in defensive rating, and it plays at the fourth-slowest pace in the league. Because of that, the Magic are 43-36-1 to the under this year.
This is a pivotal game for playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference, so we're expecting a playoff-like feel at the Wells Fargo Center. That means a slower pace and a bigger emphasis on defense. We'll take the under.
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