76ers Odds Don’t Reflect A Possible Embiid Return

• The Philadelphia 76ers’ odds against the Miami Heat are extremely valuable if Joel Embiid plays.
• Recent reports are available that give Embiid a good chance of playing, despite his status listed as out.

PHILADELPHIA – Online sportsbooks are playing the middle ground with their betting lines on the Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat Game Three matchup based on Joel Embiid’s status for the game.

With that said, now may be the time for Philadelphia 76ers bettors to get in on the action because if he is deemed healthy enough to play a fairly significant line change may be coming.

Joel Embiid’s Impact On The Sixers

It is not fair to expect either of Joel Embiid’s replacements to replace all of his MVP-esque production, but so far they have shown an inability to produce at all.

The majority of Joel Embiid’s minutes have gone to DeAndre Jordan and Paul Reed, so it is quite interesting to compare their impacts on and off the court through their net ratings.

Of course, all stats can be manipulated. Based on those on/off-court splits Isaiah Joe and Jaden Springer have been the Sixer’s best players in the playoffs, but those two guys have played a combined 19 minutes.

Not a single player on Philadelphia has as large a negative point differential as DeAndre Jordan. In fact, the next lowest player for them is Furkan Korkmaz with a net rating of -12.3.

Based on the net rating differences between Embiid and his replacements alone, it is clear that NBA sportsbooks are playing in the middle based on Embiid’s injury status.

What Is Embiid’s Injury Status

Joel Embiid may be listed as out for tonight’s game, but that may not actually be the case. NBA is actually listed out because he still has to clear the NBA’s concussion protocol, which actually mandates that he be listed as out for the game, regardless of the fact that he still may play in it. Regarding his actual status, there has reportedly been progress that may give him a chance to play.

The Sixers are currently listing Joel Embiid as out for Game 3, but there’s still progress that could be made to change his availability vs. Heat on Friday.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 5, 2022

If that possibility exists, online sportsbooks haven’t adjusted their line enough, which could give 76ers bettors an edge.

Brett Crown

Brett spends his time inhaling all things sports. With a passion for statistics and an in-depth understanding of the minor details of sport he loves to put his knowledge to the test. When he is not writing you can find him bowling, tossing the pigskin, or beaching it on the golf course.