Betting Trend: The Magic are 20-21 straight-up in games with lines of +3 to -3 under HC Jamahl Mosley... While I was initially inclined to take the Sixers ML, I don't see enough value and would rather take the 2.5 points at -105 odds.

This is getting into must-win territory for Philadelphia, which is good news with Joel Embiid and Paul George coming back today. They will be counted on to attack the rim against a Magic team that was already playing without Paolo Banchero and will now miss Wendell Carter Jr. today. Rim protection has been Orlando's strength defensively, but without those two, the home team will be unreliable at the rim, which is a concern considering that they are 15th in opponent mid-range FG% and 21st in opponent 3PT%. Tyrese Maxey is still out, but rookie Jared McCain is averaging 28.0 points per game over the last three games for Philadelphia.

The Magic have played pretty well in Banchero's absence, but they will be too limited tonight against a hungrier 76ers squad. I'll back Philly at +2.5 as my Friday NBA Best Bet.