Maxey could spend more time playing off the ball during the 2026-27 season, Chris Hine of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Vucevic did not participate in Montenegro's latest FIBA World Cup qualifying window as he turns his focus toward the upcoming NBA season.
Wagner (calf) did not participate in Germany's latest FIBA World Cup qualifying window as he focuses on preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Edgecombe recorded 25 points (9-16 FG, 7-11 3Pt), four rebounds and three assists during the Bahamas' 100-82 win over Panama in Monday's FIBA World Cup qualifier
Edgecombe is not on the Bahamas' roster ahead of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.
Richardson has some obstacles to climb in order to seize an Opening Night role.
Penda could need an impressive training camp with the Magic to carve out a larger role in 2026-27.
Edgecombe should benefit from entering a veteran-laden environment after Philadelphia added LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Paul Hudrick of Liberty Ballers reports.
Embiid no longer projects to carry the same offensive burden after Philadelphia added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown while also bringing in Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and rookie Labaron Philon, according to Paul Hudrick of Liberty Ballers.
Maxey's role figures to evolve after Philadelphia assembled a star-studded roster featuring LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Paul Hudrick of Liberty Ballers reports.
Desmond Bane cleared this prop total in two of three meetings with Philly this season, the exception coming in a 144-103 Magic blowout in which he produced a ridiculous plus-44 in the box score in 29 minutes. In the other two matchups with the 76ers, Bane put up 23 points and five rebounds, and 24 points and three rebounds. Bane was awesome in two play-in games last season for Memphis, pouring in 52 points with 11 rebounds. Look for a tight game in which Bane plays about 35 minutes and goes Over.
Oubre averaged 19.0 P/R on the season, so oddsmakers expect the norm or slightly less. But Oubre feasted on the Magic in his one full game against them with 25 & 10. Someone has to make up for the lost 34.6 P/R of Joel Embiid. In the last 14 games without Embiid, Oubre as a starter has eclipsed 20 nine times. Orlando ranks 28th in PPG allowed to small forward sand 26th in rebounds given up to the spot.
We have seen Paolo Banchero come up big in the playoffs before. Against an excellent defensive team in the Celtics last postseason, Banchero averaged 29.4 points over five games. In the 2024 playoffs, he averaged 27.0 points in a seven-game series against the Cavaliers. He should play a ton and lead the Magic in shot attempts, so I like his chances of scoring at least 23 points.
This is a nice discount on Franz Wagner’s scoring line. Wagner missed the bulk of the season but returned late in the season and both his usage and playing time steadily increased culminating in two performances where he eclipsed this line to close out the regular season. I expect Franz to get a nice bump in playing time and I like his chances of scoring 20+ points.
DraftKings (1.5u). Paolo Banchero averaged 5.2 assists per game this season. He cleared this line in 22/31 games when playing 32+ minutes against teams outside the top 12 in assists allowed. The Sixers ranked 22nd in that department, and Banchero’s minutes floor is all but guaranteed. Franz Wagner is back, and he of course missed the bulk of the season, but his minutes will still be somewhat capped, and also staggered with Paolo’s. Bachero also has the more favorable individual matchup as the Sixers lack the front court presence to match his size. Historically, Nick Nurse will send soft doubles/help at Paolo, which should open up assist opportunities.
The Sixers beat the Magic 2 out of 3 this season, with 2 of the games going over the total, but the last meeting was on January 9th. The first two games went way over the total in the 227.5 range, and now we're looking at a total of 222. Playoff droppage of the total. Orlando won 45 games this year and also went over the total 45 times. I like how the Magic won five of their last six games, scoring 123 or more in four of the wins. They play better when playing freely. In two of the Sixers' wins in their last 10 games, they scored 153 or more. They also scored 126 on Milwaukee Sunday. Over is the play.
BetMGM is the only book of ours that is showing Andre Drummond for Wednesday's game (it's live) vs. Orlando, and I want to take this now because I think when the rest post it goes to at least 20 if not higher. No Joel Embiid, because of course not, so Drummond should be looking at 30 minutes or so if not hurt or in foul trouble or in a blowout, and I don't see a rout anyways. Not completely out of the question he gets close on rebounds alone as Drummond closed the season with three straight games of at least 12 boards and easily topped this number in each.
