NBA Predictions: Is upset in cards when 76ers face Cavaliers? 3/1/18

76ers vs. Cavaliers Pick

Are the Philadelphia 76ers going to pull off the small road upset tonight when they play the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8PM ET?

CURRENT ODDS

According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Cavaliers are a 2.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under sits at 223 points.

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LINE MOVEMENT

Cleveland opened as a 3.5-point favorite before the line tightened, while the total has been bumped up after opening at 220.5. You can still find the line at -3.5 at certain books, while the total is 223 at most places.

PUBLIC BETTING

As of Thursday afternoon, 75 percent of public bets have sided with the Cavaliers. Online wager info also states that 57 percent of bets have come in on the under.

INJURY TO WATCH

Philadelphia point guard Demetrius Jackson has missed the last four games with a left abductor strain and is questionable for tonight. For Cleveland, Jeff Green missed the last game with lower back soreness and is questionable for tonight.

BETTING STRATEGY

The Cavaliers have gone only 2-2 since the All-Star Break and have struggled against the better competition in the Wizards and Spurs. It looks like a squad that is still getting used to its parts since the trades it made right before the deadline. I'm not certain they have an answer for Joel Embiid tonight, but who does? Cleveland has won six in a row in the series and although I'm tempted to say it becomes seven after this one, I liked how Philadelphia fought in its last-second 102-101 loss at the Heat. I think that motivates them to get the job done here and prove themselves against a top team in the Eastern Conference. I will say that I'm surprised the spread is this low, but in a way that just gives me more confidence in the Sixers.

 

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS +2.5