76ers vs Nets: Game Odds, Players to Watch for Game 4

On Saturday, the Philadelphia 76ers look to close out their opening-round series against the Brooklyn Nets.

In their last time out on Thursday night, the Sixers pulled off a close, 102-97, win over the Nets to put them up 3-0, thanks in large part to yet another stunning offensive display from Tyrese Maxey.

But it wasn't Maxey's performance that people were left talking about after the game, rather the officials' calls throughout the game.

The first controversial call came in the opening minutes of the match when Joel Embiid kicked Nic Claxton below the belt after the Nets' center stepped over him following a dunk. With the kick looking to be both unnecessary and excessive, many felt that this was enough to justify a flagrant two foul, yet the officials deemed it a flagrant one foul, allowing Embiid to stay in the match.

The second controversial call came in the closing moments of the third quarter when James Harden pushed off of Royce O'Neale, which the officials thought met the qualifications for a flagrant two due to the area of contact, ending Harden's 21-point night early.

On Friday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the league will not take any further action against Harden and Embiid, making them eligible for Game 4. Despite this, Embiid will sit out with a right knee sprain, with Danuel House Jr. joining him as he deals with a non-COVID illness.

Game Odds

Spread: Sixers -2.5

Moneyline: PHI -133, BKN +110

Total O/U: 209.5

*All Odds are Provided by SI Sportsbook

Game Odds

Sixers: James Harden

Fans should keep their eye on Harden as he looks to shake off the lackluster performance from earlier in the series, dropping 21 points on 53 percent shooting while also grabbing five rebounds.

With Embiid out, Harden should be one of the Sixers' lead scoring options, joined by Maxey, as the partnership looks to close out what has turned into a rather chippy opening round to the playoffs.

Nets: Mikal Bridges

Although his performance on Thursday night wasn't the flashiest, scoring 26 points on 35 percent shooting while also dishing out five assists, it was enough to keep the Nets in the game.

With his team's back against the wall, it would be assumed that Bridges will be doing everything in his power to push the series back to Philadelphia.

Declan Harris contributes to All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him on Twitter: @DecIanH.

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