The Philadelphia 76ers won their last NBA Championship in 1983, 11 years before Joel Embiid was born and 13 years before Ben Simmons‘ birth.
The Philadelphia Flyers’ championship drought is even longer. They last hoisted the Stanley Cup in 1975. Nine years later, the oldest player on their current roster was born (Nate Thompson). A quarter-century later, Joel Farabee, the youngest player, was born.
Despite the fact that they would have to watch the teams’ titles on VHS, many aren’t scared off by the lack of championship pedigrees. The Flyers and the 76ers are among bettors’ favorites at PA online sportsbooks to win the respective championships.
FanDuel sees uptick in 76ers interest
The Philadelphia 76ers are a popular play at the FanDuel online sportsbook. FanDuel says that over the last two weeks, they have seen quite an uptick in interest in the 76ers.
Overall, the 76ers rank No. 2 in handle and No. 2 in total bets in the NBA Championship outright market. They have accounted for more than 25% of bets in the outright market. It makes them a significant liability for the book.
76ers odds at FanDuel:
- NBA Championship: +2000
- Eastern Conference winner: +700
Lakers and 76ers lead the way at DraftKings
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (+250) are the favorite to win the NBA Championship at DraftKings PA. They are also pulling in the highest percentage of handle (33%) and bets (31%) at DraftKings. The 76ers have the second-highest amount (16% of handle/31% of bets).
The 76ers’ last trip to the NBA finals was in 2001, and Embiid and Simmons have yet to advance past the second round of the playoffs. However, the 76ers are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for percentage of handle (31%) to win the Eastern Conference and slightly edge them out for percentage of total of bets (29%).
Underdog Rangers a popular pick at FanDuel, Flyers not far behind
At FanDuel online sportsbook, the New York Rangers (+4000), the 11th-place team in the Eastern Conference, who will play the Carolina Hurricanes in a qualifying series, are getting the most backing. However, the Flyers rank right behind them for total bets to win the Stanley Cup.
FanDuel Stanley Cup winner top teams by bet count:
- Rangers
- Flyers
- Bruins
- Lightning
- Avalanche
By handle:
- Rangers
- Bruins
- Flyers
- Lightning
- Avalanche
Philadelphia Flyers odds at FanDuel:
- Stanley Cup winner: +1000
- Eastern Conference winner: +500
Flyers a favorite for NHL bettors at DraftKings
At DraftKings online sportsbook, the Philadelphia Flyers account for the second-highest percent of handle (13%) and percent of total bets (12%) to win the Stanley Cup.
Even if the Flyers don’t win the Cup, bettors are bullish on the Broad Street Bullies to win the Eastern Conference. The Flyers are tops, with 18% of the handle and 21% of total bets placed.
Philadelphia Flyers odds at DraftKings:
Stanley Cup winner: +1000
Eastern Conference winner: +550
No. 1 seed, Eastern Conference: +550
Conn Smythe winner:
- Sean Couturier: +2700
- Claude Giroux: +4000
- Carter Hart: +5000
How Pennsylvanians are betting on the NBA and NHL
A BetRivers Pennsylvania/PlaySugarHouse representative gave PlayPennsylvania a breakdown of how Pennsylvanians are wagering on the NBA and NHL.
The 76ers lead the way with 43% of handle and 24% of bets to win the NBA title. The Los Angeles Clippers (16%) and Lakers (15%) round out the top three.
On the ice, the team on the western side of the state is earning commonwealth bettors’ backing. The Pittsburgh Penguins lead with 68.5% of handle and 49% of bets to win the Stanley Cup. The Flyers are a distant second with 10% of handle and 10% bets.
Philadelphia Flyers odds at BetRivers/PlaySugarHouse:
- Stanley Cup winner: +1000
- Eastern Conference winner: +550
Pittsburgh Penguins odds at BetRivers/PlaySugarHouse:
- Stanley Cup winner: +1500
- Eastern Conference winner: +850
Flyers/Penguins Conn Smythe odds:
- Sean Couturier: +2700
- Sidney Crosby: +3000
- Jake Guentzel: +3500
- Evgeni Malkin: +3500
- Claude Giroux: +4000
- Carter Hart: +5000
- Kris Letang: +15000
