76ers Host Warriors in High-Stakes NBA Showdown on December 5, 2025

The Philadelphia 76ers are set to welcome the Golden State Warriors to Xfinity Live! Arena on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time — a rare midnight tip-off that’s already sparking buzz among bettors and fans alike. The game, nationally televised on NBA TV and regionally on NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports Philadelphia, pits two teams clawing for playoff positioning against a backdrop of conflicting trends, sharp betting lines, and surprising player prop markets. The 76ers, sitting at 12-9 and ninth in the Eastern Conference, are favored by 4.5 points, but don’t be fooled — this isn’t the blowout it seems.

Why This Game Matters More Than the Record Suggests

On paper, both teams are middle-of-the-pack. But the stakes? Higher than they look. The 76ers are fighting to stay above .500 in a crowded East where five teams are within two games of each other. The Warriors, at 11-12, are clinging to the eighth seed in the West — a spot that could mean avoiding the play-in tournament entirely. This isn’t just a matchup; it’s a statement game for both franchises trying to prove they’re still contenders.

Betting Lines Tell a Story — But Not the Whole One

As of December 4, 2025, the lines were all over the place. Action Network had the 76ers as -4.5 (-120), while Covers.com listed them at -4.5 (-105). FOX Sports went with a 3-point spread. The over/under ranged from 223 to 224 points. Why the variance? Because oddsmakers are split on whether this game will be a grind or a shootout.

The moneyline is even more telling: 76ers at -176, Warriors at +150. That means you’d need to risk $176 to win $100 on Philadelphia — a sign of confidence, but also a trap. The Warriors are 6-2 as home favorites this season, yet they’re just 2-4 on the road. And here’s the twist: they’ve been better against the spread on the road (4-8 ATS) than at home (5-4-1). So if you’re betting the Warriors, you’re betting on their road grit — not their home comfort.

Public betting is nearly even: 51% on the 76ers, 49% on the Warriors. But the smart money? Analysts like Joe Dellera are betting big on GSW +3.5 (-110), risking 2.73 units. PainPicks Office is going even wider with GSW +12.5. That’s not a typo — they’re not betting the spread. They’re betting the Warriors’ ability to keep it close enough to cover a huge number. It’s a long shot, but it’s not irrational.

Numbers Don’t Lie — But They Can Mislead

The 76ers average 118.3 points per game. The Warriors allow 114. That’s a 4.3-point edge — a clear advantage. But here’s what’s overlooked: Philadelphia is 8-4 ATS when scoring over 114 points. That’s not because they’re unstoppable. It’s because they’ve been playing sloppy defense. They’ve allowed 115+ points in six of their last eight games.

Meanwhile, the Warriors have been on a scoring tear. Their last 10 games averaged 230.2 total points — nearly 7 points above this game’s over/under. And yet, they’ve gone under at home in five of their last 10. Why? Because their road games are faster-paced, more chaotic. This game, in Philadelphia, could be a different beast.

Field goal percentages tell another story. The 76ers shoot 46.2% — slightly below the 46.8% the Warriors allow. But that’s misleading. The Warriors are a perimeter-heavy team. They live and die by the three. And that’s where the real drama is.

Player Props: The Real Battle Ground

Buddy Hield? Over 5.5 threes at -144. Jared McCain? Over 5.5 at -146. Brandin Podziemski? Over 6.5 at +140. That’s right — the Warriors’ bench guard is being offered at positive odds to hit six threes. Why? Because he’s been heating up. In his last five games, Podziemski has hit 6+ threes twice. Against the 76ers, who rotate aggressively on the perimeter, he could be the X-factor.

McCain, Philadelphia’s young sharpshooter, has been a revelation. But he’s also inconsistent. His over/under is set at 5.5 — the same as Hield’s. Yet Hield has 27 three-pointers in his last 10 games. McCain has 18. The market is pricing them equally. That’s a value play.

Expert Picks and the Final Prediction

FOX Sports’ analysts are leaning Warriors +3 and Over 223.5, predicting a 117-115 final. That’s a one-point win for Philly — but the Warriors cover. It’s a risky call, but it fits the pattern: the Warriors win close games. They’ve won five of their last six by five points or fewer. The 76ers? They’ve lost three of their last five by six or more.

The twist? The 76ers are 6-1 ATS on the road — but they’re playing at home. That stat is a red herring. They’re 3-2 ATS in their last five at Xfinity Live! Arena. The Warriors? 4-6 ATS in their last 10 overall. But 7 of those 10 games went over. This one likely will too.

What’s Next?

If the 76ers win outright, they’ll climb into the top eight in the East. If the Warriors cover, they’ll be just one game back of the seventh seed. Both teams play again in two days — the 76ers host the Nets, the Warriors travel to Dallas. This game could set the tone for their entire December schedule.

Historical Context: A Rivalry Rekindled?

This is the 22nd meeting between the two teams this season — a rarity. But it’s not a rivalry. Not yet. The Warriors beat the 76ers in overtime in November. The 76ers won the rematch in a last-second steal. That’s the kind of back-and-forth that builds stories. If this game goes down to the wire, it could be the spark that turns this into a must-watch annual matchup.