NBA Play-In Tournament Best Bets: 76ers vs. Magic Odds & Player Props (April 15)

The most interesting NBA Play-In Tournament game this season is scheduled for Wednesday night in Philadelphia. The 76ers host the Orlando Magic for the 7th seed.

Oddsmakers at BetMGM and FanDuel list the Sixers at -1 or -2 against the Magic. The loser of this game will still have a chance to grab a playoff spot, facing the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

The play-in games are fantastic theater because it's sudden-death type of drama. Yes, the loser can still squeak into the NBA Playoffs, but both the 76ers and Magic would rather punch their ticket tonight. That's why you won't see load management, and the players will actually play defense.

My picks tonight are a player prop, parlay, and the ML/spread. Consult our list of the latest NBA promos to help you make the best of NBA playoff betting.

Paul George Assists+Points Prop Bet

It seems like Paul George should be 44 years old. He's been in the NBA for what feels like ages. But, the wiry "power" forward is still only 35, and making his 12th appearance in postseason play. This will be the fourth team George has helped to play postseason hoops.

In his career, George averages just under 22 points per game in the playoffs and play-ins. That's a few more than his regular season average. In this Sixers offense, George is the third scoring option behind distributor Tyrese Maxey and big man Joel Embiid. But, Embiid is shelved (again) this time following an appendectomy.

That means, The Man With Two First Names will be central in the offensive schemes for Philly. Which is why I like George to take more than the 13 shots he averaged in the regular season. Expect him to hoist 18 or more, and with his average of 2-3 points from the charity stripe, I expect George to get to 21+ points.

If he adds 6.5+ assists, we win this prop bet. In eight of his last 14 games playing 30+ minutes, Paul George has recorded at least 6 assists.

• Paul George OVER 27.5 Points + Assists (+140 from FanDuel)

Magic vs 76ers Play-In Game Parlay

In some ways, the Magic and Sixers are mirror images: both are rebound first, slow the pace teams that don't rely heavily on 3-point shooting. They rank 21st and 22nd in 3-point attempts. Compared to the Warriors, these teams take about 10 fewer 3-pointers per game.

Both teams are managed heavily by their point guards, who like to control the rock. Jalen Suggs and Tyrese Maxey will set the tone. Orlando also relies on steady Paolo Banchero to bring the basketball up court and set the offense.

Tonight, basketball fans will see two teams that like to let the clock whittle down under 5 seconds before shooting the ball. Two teams that send 4-5 bodies to the glass to grab errant shots and try to be physical in the paint.

I don't expect this to be a game that goes into the 120s. FanDuel has the O/U for Total Points set to 223.5 for this play-in matchup. Philly has scored as many as 120 points only once in its last six games.

These teams will have steady, measured offensive plays to feed their reliable players. I love the chance for veteran Andre Drummond to at least match his season average of 5 points as he picks up minutes for the Sixers in place of absent Embiid.

Maxey will try to take over, which is why he'll easily send 20 shots at the rim. I love his chance for a big breakout scoring game of at least 25 points. The rest of my parlay picks for scorers are fairly conservative: Suggs and VJ Edgecombe each average 14-16 points, and will be asked to play more minutes tonight in a crucial game.

Odds on this Four-Leg Same-Game Parlay are +480 from FanDuel Sportsbook:

• Tyrese Maxey To Score 25+ points
• Jalen Suggs To Score 15+ Points
• VJ Edgecombe To Score 15+ Points
• Andre Drummond To Score 5+ Points

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Moneyline, Spread Pick for Philadelphia vs Orlando

I like the moneyline for ORL/PHI, which is currently set at +106, or slightly better than even odds for this NBA Play-In game.

But better to take 2 points and essentially get about the same action. Yes, I'll have to wager $114 to win $100, but the two points are worth that compared to the extra $6 I can win betting $100.

The Magic are a better playoff-style team. That's because Orlando can play fastbreak ball, and it defends the 3-pointer.  The biggest challenge will be winning the turnover battle. If the Magic can keep that statistic close, this will be a tidy win.

• Orlando Magic +2 (-114 from FanDuel)