Rogers' 10* Underdog TOP TICKET >> SIZZLING 57-29-4 L90 NBA Sides!
(NBA) Washington vs. Philadelphia,
Point Spread: 8.00 | -113.00 Philadelphia (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 34-21 Washington Wizards opened the season 2-8 but slowly got things turned around. They then 'sprinted' to the All Star break on an 18-3 run, taking over the top spot in the Southeast Division and climbing to the East's No. 3 seed, just two back of the Celtics. Washington gets back on te heourt tonight in Philadelphia against the 21-35 76ers. Philly's record may not look very good but when one considers this team won just TEN times all of last season, it's been quite a turnaround for this franchise.

Washington: The Wizards own a terrific starting-five, led by guards Wall (22.8-4.6-10.6) and Beal (22.2). Up front, center Gortat (11.9 & 11.4) is surrounded by forwards Morris (14.9 & 6.8) and Porter (14.6 & 6.7). However, an anemic bench has been the team's Achilles heel. Washington surely helped themselves on Wednesday, acquiring veteran shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic (14.2 PPG) from the Brooklyn Nets to spread the floor and give the bench a proven scorer. "Bojan is a very good shooter and a talented overall scorer whose versatility gives us an added dimension as we gear up for the stretch run," Washington president Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement. "He is a proven starter that will provide us an added boost off the bench and allow us to be creative with our lineups."

Philadelphia: Center Jahlil Okafor (11.4 & 4.8) seemed to be rumored to be going to a different team every day over the last few weeks but in the end remained in a 76ers uniform while fellow center Nerlens Noel (8.9 & 5.0 in just under 20 minutes) was sent to Dallas in exchange for center Andrew Bogut, who is expected to be waived. The 76ers also sent PF Ersan Ilyasova (14.8 & 5.9) to Atlanta in an effort to open up minutes for promising rookie Dario Saric, who will likely move into the starting lineup in the spot vacated by Ilyasova. Saric has averaged 10.8 & 5.9 in just over 24 minutes.

The pick: Of course, rookie center Joel Embiid (20.2 & 7.8) has been the key to the team's turnaround but he sat out the last 11 games with a knee injury. He made it through a full practice on Wednesday but has yet to be cleared and likely will sit out the next two contests. However, the 76ers closed the first half of the season going 3-2 SU and 5-0 ATS heading into the break, all without Embiid. Note that Saric averaged 20.6 points on 52.6 percent shooting in those last five games, giving a window into why the 76ers moved Ilyasova. Love the way Washington is playing and picking up Bogdanovic is "just what the doctor ordered" but the 76ers are a money-making 20-9 ATS at home. Philly is a 10* play.