Hawks vs. Sixers Game 7 Odds, Preview, Picks, & Prediction

by Sloan Piva (SloanPiva) Last Updated 2021-06-20 14:37:08

Hawks vs. Sixers Game 7 Odds

The stage has been set for what should be an epic finale to a gripping Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup between Atlanta and Philadelphia. The young upstart Hawks, the five-seed in the East, will be vying for a stunning upset over the top-seeded 76ers in Philly. After winning Game 6 in the ATL 104-99 to stay alive, the top-seeded Sixers are whopping -7 favorites Sunday, and -275 on the moneyline.

This series has had it all. It has showcased incredible heroics by an emerging superstar in Trae Young. It has featured the inside-outside talent portfolio of MVP candidate Joel Embiid. We have seen the road team achieve victory in four of the six games this series. And now, we get the most exciting contest in sports: a Game 7.

Sixers vs. Hawks Game 7 Preview

NBA fans have been absolutely mesmerized by the amazing Young, who looks more and more like Steph Curry with seemingly every game under his belt. He has been lethal from long-range, able to create separation in an instant and swish 30-footers with a hand right in his face. He also effortlessly creates for his teammates, and almost always takes care of the basketball. In the semis, ‘Ice Trae’ has averaged 31 points, 11 assists, and two steals in 39 minutes per game.

Equally as impressive, Embiid has been a monster among mortals. He has imposed his will against the Hawks’ bigs, including fringe All-Defensive selection Clint Capela. Philly’s finest center since Wilt the Stilt has put his squad on his back, especially with Ben Simmons proving to be an increasing liability at the free throw line. Embiid has averaged 30.3 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, 2.2 blocks, and a steal per game this series.

Remarkably, Embiid’s top offensive sidekick has not been fellow All-Star Simmons, or 2021 All-Star snub Tobias Harris. Instead, the No. 2 scoring threat for Philly has been Sixers coach Doc Rivers’ son-in-law, Seth Curry. Steph’s little bro has been awesome from three-point land, and he has averaged 21.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and two assists in 35 minutes per game during this six-game clash.

Simmons, meanwhile, has been awful. He can’t get into an offensive rhythm throughout the game, often appearing completely lost. Atlanta coach Nate McMillan has brilliantly turned to the ‘hack-a-Ben’ strategy, which has been rewarded handsomely. Simmons has made just 14 of his 43 free throws (32.5%), and he has clearly lost confidence with the ball in his hands.

McMillan and the Hawks have forced Rivers to periodically remove the talented 6-foot-10 point guard, opting instead to insert rookie guard Tyrese Maxey until the 2:00 mark of the second and fourth quarters (when a team receives free throws and the ball after one of their players is fouled away from the ball). This takes Philly’s best passer and defender off the floor for crucial stretches, not to mention their biggest and most frequent mismatch player on offense.

In Game 6, Simmons’ struggles were bailed out by Embiid and friends. The center finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, Harris and Curry added 24 points of their own, and Maxey came up huge with 16 points and seven boards. The 20-year old rookie, who had played just 32 minutes total across the first five games of the series, finished as a +12 in his 30 minutes of play in Game 6. He was, by all accounts, the x-factor.

Sixers vs. Hawks Picks & Predictions

Who can be Atlanta’s x-factor in Game 7? Will Capela or John Collins come up big down low, like they have so often this season? Will veteran three-point shooter Danilo Gallinari join Young in a three-point barrage? The Hawks are missing two key components of their offensive scheme, with wingmen De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic both out with knee injuries.

Oddsmakers like the deeper, healthier, and more talented Sixers at home in a do-or-die affair over the shorthanded Hawks. I do, too. I told RotoGrinders readers a few days ago that I liked Philly to win Game 6 on the road, and to seal the series in Game 7. The Sixers have more offensive options, not to mention three All-Defensive selections and an NBA champion coach. They will find a way.

Will Philly win by seven? Hell, no. Trae Young has demonstrated time and time again that he will burn whoever doubts him, in one way or another. This kid is a magician—do you really want that smoke? He should be able to keep this one close until the bitter end of Atlanta’s Cinderella story.

But the Sixers are the one-seed in large part because they prevailed in 33 of 42 home games this season, and in 31 of 37 games in which they were a home favorite. At the final buzzer in the City of Brotherly Love Sunday, the Sixers will be ringing the victory bell. Another step forward for ‘the Process,’ and another step closer to Philly’s first NBA title in 38 years.

With that said, I can’t help but think this one will be another close game with the Hawks covering the 7-point spread. I also love the Over 215.5 tonight.

• FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Sixers 120-114
• FIRST HALF BET: Sixers ML -225
• ATS PICK: Hawks +7
• OVER/UNDER PICK: O215.5

Image Credit: Imagn