National Basketball Association

Philadelphia 76ers favored to win -- for first time all season

Published Mar. 20, 2015 3:36 p.m. ET

Brett Smiley

It took a mere 69 games, but the bottom-feeding Philadelphia 76ers are actually favored to win a basketball game.

The oddsmakers have installed the Sixers as a healthy six-point favorite Friday night, thanks in part to some improved play recently (3-3 in last six games, including a win over the East-leading Hawks), but probably in large part because they will host the NBA-worst New York Knicks (14-54) who are racing to the bottom -- and to the top of the NBA Draft lottery.

On average this season before Friday's game, the Sixers have been 10-point underdogs and nearly hit the 20-mark in a Jan. 3 contest at the Los Angeles Clippers as 19.5-point underdogs, a game the 76ers ended up losing 127-91.

Depending on whether Philly GM Sam Hinkie's plan is to tank for the sake of better draft positioning or actually win a few more games this season, finally being favored is either a gross failure or a nice accomplishment.

[H/T CSN Philly]