Last Time Out
The Philadelphia 76ers managed to secure a victory in their last game, toppling the Washington Wizards with a final score of 119-113 on Saturday. Tyrese Maxey made a significant contribution to the win, impressing with a stat line of 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been unstoppable lately, winning 17 of their last 18 matchups. Their prowess was on full display in their recent encounters where they comfortably dispatched both the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets by over 20 points each. Defensively, the Cavaliers have been particularly stingy, allowing a mere 101.4 points per game over their last five contests. In their latest game against the Nets, Jarrett Allen had an outstanding performance with 18 points and a whopping 15 rebounds.
Injuries
The injury list is of concern for the 76ers, as star player Joel Embiid is sidelined due to knee surgery. They will also miss the services of Nicolas Batum and De’Anthony Melton in their upcoming game against the Cavaliers. Additionally, Mo Bamba's participation is uncertain, while Robert Covington is also unlikely to feature.
In light of these absences, the recent acquisitions of Buddy Hield, Cameron Payne, and Kyle Lowry could prove to be pivotal for the 76ers, providing them with much-needed depth and quality.
Contrastingly, the Cavaliers will be without Ty Jerome due to an ankle injury, representing a minor setback as the team made no moves before the trade deadline, choosing to maintain their current roster.
Head-to-Head
Looking at the season series, Cleveland currently has a 1-0 advantage over Philadelphia. However, the 76ers have had reasonable success in their trips to Cleveland, winning one of their last five games on the Cavaliers' home court.
Betting Trends & Stats
Despite the injuries, the 76ers' offense remains one of the top-10 in the league, and it’s anticipated that the introduction of Hield, Lowry, and Payne will bolster their scoring capabilities. On the other side, the Cavaliers possess the league's 2nd-best defense, conceding an average of 109.0 points per game this season.
In terms of betting trends, the statistics reveal that the 76ers have managed to cover the point spread in 40% of games when they're deemed as underdogs. On the flip side, the Cavaliers have displayed a solid 61.1% cover rate when playing as home favorites. Furthermore, Cleveland's point differential is identified as the 5th-best across the NBA.
Key Players
Tyrese Maxey has emerged as a critical player for the 76ers, averaging 25.7 points per game along with 6.4 assists. Meanwhile, Ricky Council IV also contributed heavily in the last game against the Wizards, notching up 19 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell continues to be a shining star with averages of 28.2 points per game, 6.3 assists, and an impressive 1.9 steals. The defensive anchor of the team, Jarrett Allen, has been a force in the paint, pulling down an average of 10.6 rebounds and registering 1.2 blocks per game.
Best Bet
The betting lines favor the Cleveland Cavaliers, suggesting a victory margin of 10 points (Cleveland Cavaliers -10) with odds of -114 presented by Bet Rivers. Given the Cavaliers’ recent form and defensive prowess, coupled with the 76ers' injury woes, this line seems indicative of the expectations for the upcoming matchup.