Hinkie told everyone to Trust the Process...and they fired him. But look at his guys now. Led by Simmons and Embiid, the Sixers are 5-4 and winners of 5 of their last 6. Embiid doesn't play on back-to-backs because he's made of glass but if you take out the game they sat him, they're 5-3 and in a groove.
We've got a real international showcase here as Simmons (Australia) and Embiid (Cameroon) travel to Utah aka America's Melting Pot to take on Gobert (France) and Rubio (Spain). Utah is treading water as they try to figure out their identity post-Hayward. Rubio has been okay but they're having trouble scoring points. The Jazz play at the third-slowest pace in the NBA while the Sixers play at the fourth-fastest. The game will probably be determined by which team can set the pace.
I think the 76ers are better than people think and this line should be closer to 3.5/4 pts.
Pick: Philadelphia +7.5