The Philadelphia 76ers are a polarizing franchise, mostly because their star players haven’t stayed healthy the last few years. If the stars align, though, look out.
Las Vegas sportsbooks from the Strip to Summerlin are seeing steady support on the Sixers to win the East — bets fueled by early signs of cohesion under Nick Nurse and a blossoming backcourt led by Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe.
And more help is on the way.
🎙 Vegas Voices
Westgate SuperBook vice president of risk Jeff Sherman was banging his fists on the table all summer telling anybody who would listen to buy Sixers’ stock.
I saw Sherman in August and he asked me, “did you do it?”
“In this injury-riddled East, the Sixers can produce a lineup that matches the talent of any team,” Sherman told me this week. “Maxey has entered early longshot MVP territory, Edgecombe might win ROY and [Joel] Embiid’s minutes are increasing by the day. Guys like [Jared] McCain and Paul George aren’t even playing yet.
“Their conference and title odds still present value.”
You can still find 12-1 East and 40-1 title. If Sherman and other wise guys are right and the Sixers keep winning, there’s a chance their East price could be 5-1 by Christmas.
Any football wisdom?
“Ohio State is five points better than the second-best team,” one former bookmaker told me. “Indiana, Bama, Oregon, Georgia. Whoever you want. That’s the line.”
🐴 Mustang Sally
Circa Sports opened SMU as a 9-point home underdog against Miami six days ago. Initial money showed for the favorite and the line floated out to Miami -12.5.
Then it was boom, boom, pow.
Large SMU bets were spread around Vegas midweek, including a $30,000 pop at one shop. There are whispers about Miami dealing with some injuries and there’s also Mario Cristobal’s 4-10 record in November and December as Canes coach.
📊 Sharp Report
Nebraska +7 —> +4.5
West Virginia +15 —> +13
Old Dominion -14.5 —> -17
Penn State +21 —> +19
Virginia-Cal U54.5 —> 52
Kentucky-Auburn U47 —> 44.5
Packers -11 —> -13
CHI-CIN U53 —> 51
🥃 Fade the Bartender
The Bartender went 1-1 last Sunday. Is there any doubt he’ll back his dreamboat Drake Maye this weekend? We’ll have the answer this Saturday on X.
🐔 Chicken Picks
Here are the plays this weekend.
SMU +11
Kansas State +7.5
Texas -3
Penn State 1H +10.5
Raiders +3 -120
Bills +2
L/W: 2-5, -3.5 units
YTD: 21-29-3, -10.7 units
Follow Sam!
Bet Sweats | Bear Bets
Chicken Dinner | FOX Sports
“Ohio State is five points better than the second-best team. Indiana, Bama, Oregon, Georgia. Whoever you want. That’s the line.”