10* NBA TOTAL COACH'S CORNER (UNLOAD w/ CONFIDENCE!)
(NBA) Philadelphia vs. Portland, 08/09/2020 6:30 PM, Score: 121 - 124
Total: 229.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Blazers come in off a tough 122-117 loss to the Clippers yesterday afternoon and I think they'll have a hard time mustering up the same energy here. Philadelphia has struggled with consistency in the bubble and it just found that it's lost the services of scorer Ben Simmons for the rest of the season to injury. From an overall "situational" stand point, this contest defintiely sets up as more of a "chess match" than a "run and gun shootout."

The pick: The eight-game "re-start" was definitely going to be about strategy for most teams and for handicappers that means being flexible with their approach. Certainly approaching the games from a "situational" stand point makes sense to me and that's primarily what this pick is based on. However, not, Portland has also seen the total go under in 12 of its last 18 after allowing 120 points or more in a loss and in the second game of a back-to-back scenario. This number is a tad high.

This is a 10* COACH'S CORNER on the UNDER 76ers/Blazers.