Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview (December 23, 2025)

Nic Clowney, averaging nine rebounds and two blocks over the last 10 games, could find himself around the rim plenty when the Nets (8-19, 13th in the Eastern Conference) go in search of a second straight win when visiting the 76ers (16-11, 4th in the Eastern Conference) at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia Tuesday night.

This is especially true if 76ers C Joel Embiid (knee, day-to-day) is unavailable to play. 

However, the Nets, coming off a 96-81 win over the Toronto Raptors, are (+9.5, -110) point  road underdogs on the betting line vs. the Sixers (-9,5, 110), who are 4-1 in their last five home games.

Brooklyn, 4-8 on the road, is +325 on the moneyline, with the Sixers, 7-3 in their last 10 games, listed at a hefty (-400).

The over/under is 219 points (o, -110, u -110) for the 7:00 p.m. (ET) tipoff.

For a team locked in on the 2026 NBA draft and not it’s current standing in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Nets, 5-3 for December and 5-5 in their last 10 games, which includes a snapping a five-game losing streak two days ago with a 96-81 win over the Toronto Raptors, haven’t entirely fallen off the map.

Brooklyn is 7-14 vs. Eastern Conference opponents, however, a very competitive 3-3 in their last six road games, including scoring wins over the Bulls (-6.5) and Celtics (-14) as significant underdogs. 

The incomplete Nets, averaging 108.9 points and shooting 45.9% during their last 10 games, still have a tendency to go low stretches of games without being able to put the basketball in the basket. with the latest example being their loss last week in Dallas. 

However, star F Michael Porter Jr., who scored 24 points and added 11 rebounds, against the Raptors, is holding up his end of the bargain amid trade rumors hovering over the young star. 

Porter Jr., averaging 25.8 points per game on 32.8 minutes, has dropped games of 34 and 35 points, respectively, two of his last five times out on the court for a game. He has four games of 30-plus points since Dec. 1.

Brooklyn's defense, arguably the league's worst several months ago, has made marked improvements in recent weeks, largely thanks to the inside presence of Noah Clowney, who enters the Wednesday game averaging a team-leading 7.7 rebounds and finds himself around the rim on a regular basis.

In turn, the Nets have held four of their last six opponents to 103 points or less. 

Clowney, seemingly always in position on the defensive side of the court, could be key in minimizing the work done by Sixers C Andre Drummond (9,6 rebounds per game) who is a main reason why Philadelphia is currently ninth in the league in total rebounding at 45.2 per contest. 

Philadelphia, 7-3 in their last 10 games, including a 121-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night, in addition to 13-10 vs. Eastern Conference opponents, are led by G Tyrese Maxey, the NBA's third-leading scorer at 31.7 points per game.

Maxey scored 38 points, including seven during a key, fourth quarter stretch, to put away the Dallas Mavericks. Philadelphia is also 6-2 against the spread in its last eight games.

Brooklyn will be without Drake Powell (ankle sprain). Cam Thomas (hamstring) and Haywood Highsmith (knee), while Ben Saraf (ankle) is out.Quentin Grimes and Dominick Bartow, both ill, are questionable. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford are out for the Sixers. Paul George, cleared from the injury report on Monday, could play after sitting out against Dallas.

Now, Brooklyn, coming off a +3.5 cover as a home ‘dog, finds itself in a revenge spot against a 76ers squad that might be a little overpriced right here.

Claxton, as he did against the Raptors on Sunday night, and the Heat last week, could find himself in position to get plenty of easy buckets near the rim as explained above. Especially, if Embiid, as he tends to be, isn’t fully-engaged.

Fernie Ruano is a sports analyst and content creator in Miami, Florida. He contributed to the production of this article.