The Philadelphia 76ers will look for their first win with Jimmy Butler when they host the Utah Jazz on Friday night. The Sixers were beaten by the Orlando Magic, 111-106, on Wednesday night in Butler’s first game with his new team. Utah is looking to bounce back after suffering a 50-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
Philadelphia brings a 9-7 record into this game, but they were expected to be much better this season. The Sixers trail both the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics in the Atlantic Division, one of the best divisions in the NBA. Utah comes into this game with a 7-7 record and are in fourth place in the Northwest Division. The Philadelphia 76ers are -5.0 over the Jazz on Friday night.
Jazz Looking For Offense
The Utah Jazz have struggled on offense this season which has led to their 7-7 record. The Jazz scored just 68 points in their blowout loss on Wednesday night, including just 22 points in the first half. On the season, Utah is averaging 107.4 points per game which is in the bottom third in the NBA, despite returning much of the same roster from a playoff team a season ago.
Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell continues to lead the team in scoring in just his second season in the NBA. Mitchell is averaging 20.4 points per game this season but is shooting just 30 percent from the three-point line. Center Rudy Gobert has played well this season, averaging 15.9 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. Utah will need to find more help for Mitchell and Gobert if they are going to return to the playoffs this season.
New Look Sixers Ready To Roll
The Philadelphia 76ers now look like the team to beat with Jimmy Butler now in the fold. Butler scored just 14 points in his Sixers debut on Wednesday night, but the team should build chemistry moving forward. A big question mark for the Sixers continues to be what to do with Markelle Fultz. Fultz has started 15 games for the team this season, but is averaging just 8.9 points, and continues to struggle with his jump shot.
The Sixers are averaging 112.3 points per game so far this season, and that number should improve with Butler. Center Joel Embiid is having a monster year for the Sixers averaging 27.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. JJ Reddick is coming off of the bench to pour in 18.2 points per game this season. The Sixers have a ton of offensive weapons and should put up a ton of points in this game.
Philly Blows Out Jazz
The Utah Jazz looked horrible on Wednesday night, and they have been an average team so far this season. Mitchell is a terrific player, but Jimmy Butler will lock him up in this game. The Sixers have a ton of offensive weapons, and they will figure out how to play together in a hurry. Philly should have little trouble with the Jazz in this game. Bet the Philadelphia 76ers -5.0 on Friday night.
