Suns at Sixers – Can Philly Avoid a Shaq Attack?

BetOnline NBA Basketball Betting Odds: PHILADELPHIA -3, Total 211.5

Here are some of the NBA pro basketball online betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* PHX has covered five of its last 16 games

* PHX has played four of its last six games OVER the total

* PHX is 3-6-1 ATS in its last ten road games

* PHX has played 12 of its last 17 road games OVER the total

* PHIL has won 12 of its last 16 games SU

* PHIL has played five of its last seven games UNDER the total

* PHIL has won eight of its last 11 games SU

Also…

* PHX has won and covered six of the last eight meetings

* Five of the last seven meetings have gone UNDER the total

* PHX has won and covered four of the last six meetings

* Ten of the last 14 meetings in Philadelphia have gone OVER the total

* PHX has had the shooting edge in seven of the last eight meetings

* PHIL has had the rebounding edge in four of the last six meetings

* PHX has made more three-pointers in each of the last ten meetings

The Suns have scored more than 100 points in each of their last seven games, and the Sixers have had more trouble scoring points of late, failing to do so in their last four contests. The Sixers have cooled down too; after winning seven straight games for interim coach Tony DiLeo, they have gone 5-4 in their last nine. Elton Brand is out for the year with a shoulder injury, which is a tremendous blow, and that also hurts Philadelphia here against a Phoenix team that has a 1-2 punch on the inside with Amare Stoudamire and Shaquille O’Neal.

That’s right – we said Shaquille O’Neal. The center, who was recently named a reserve for the All-Star Game that will take place in Phoenix, had 20 points and ten rebounds in Sunday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. He has usually been rested in the back end of back-to-back games by Coach Terry Porter, but in this case it is probable that Shaq will play. That has, interestingly enough, fueled some rumors that Shaq is being showcased for a possible trade before the deadline.

It should be mentioned that without having Brand available, the Sixers have posted a 12-8 record, which is better than their 13-16 mark with him. Does that mean they are a better team without Brand? That’s the spin they’re trying to put on it, as they pump up their chances to make some noise in the playoffs, if they eventually make it there. Indeed, DiLeo, a Sixer executive who replaced Maurice Cheeks in what was one in a rash of firing in the NBA this season, appears to have made a difference, going 16-10 under his direction.

The Sixers are more of an ensemble piece, and probably a better defensive club. They’d like to slow the pace, as they have allowed less than 93 points per game at home. With a day of rest, we’re going to afford them a slight edge over Phoenix in this one, as Shaq will likely not be as effective. We’ll take the Sixers minus the points in the BetOnline NBA odds.

JAY’S PLAY: PHILADELPHIA +3 **

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

(Charles Jay makes his share of shots from the top of the key as a contributor to the BetOnline Locker Room)