76ers vs. Cavaliers Pick
Will the host Cleveland Cavaliers take advantage of the Philadelphia 76ers being without star center Joel Embiid tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Cavaliers are a 7-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 219 points.
Philadelphia comes in with a 13-11 overall record and 15-9 ATS after a 107-104 home loss to the Lakers. Cleveland is 18-8 and 9-16-1 ATS following a 106-102 loss at the Pacers which ended its 13-game winning streak. The Cavaliers won the first meeting by a count of 113-91 score in Philadelphia on Nov. 27. Cleveland is 4-0 straight up and 2-2 ATS in four meetings since the start of last season. The over-under went 2-2.
The 76ers saw the Lakers hit a game-winning 3-pointer in the final second Thursday night to stun them on their home floor. Embiid tallied 33 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five blocked shots to lead the way. He will be rested for tonight’s game. Robert Covington accounted for 19 points, six rebounds, four blocked shots and two assists. JJ Redick had 15 points and two rebounds. Ben Simmons notched a triple-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists. Philadelphia trailed 57-49 at halftime.
Cleveland was led by LeBron James with 29 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two blocked shots in the loss at Indiana. Kevin Love had 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists. JR Smith added 15 points and five boards. The Cavaliers were outscored 49-39 in the second half.
Philadelphia is 16-6 ATS in in the last 22 meetings. The under is 13-5 in the last 18 meetings in Cleveland.
Philadelphia is obviously downgraded significantly without Embiid, but it isn’t exactly chopped liver. Simmons, Redick and Covington are part of a solid core. Trevor Booker is questionable to play after being acquired in a trade with the Nets this week. His presence would be welcomed in the interior with Embiid out. The Cavs are on a back-to-back and are due to come back down to earth a bit after the win streak. I like Philly to keep it within seven tonight.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS +7