The Philadelphia 76ers (32-23) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-18) in an affair on Friday evening. Cleveland is currently second in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia is fifth in the conference standings. This is the third matchup of the campaign between these foes after they split the first two contests. Joel Embiid (knee) and Kyle Lowry (reconditioning) are out for the Sixers, while Donovan Mitchell (illness) is questionable for the Cavs.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Cleveland is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Cavaliers vs. 76ers odds via SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 229.5. Before making any 76ers vs. Cavaliers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions from SportsLine’s proven model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 18 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 60-36 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,300. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Cavs vs. Sixers. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Sixers vs. Cavs:
Cavaliers vs. 76ers spread: Cleveland -5.5
Cavaliers vs. 76ers over/under: 229.5 points
Cavaliers vs. 76ers money line: Cleveland -214, Philadelphia +176
PHI: Sixers are 31-23 ATS this season
CLE: Cavaliers are 14-10 ATS on the road this season
Cavaliers vs. 76ers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the 76ers can cover
Guard Tyrese Maxey is an athletic threat in the backcourt. Maxey thrives in the pick-and-roll as a scorer and facilitator. The 23-year-old is averaging 25.7 points and 6.4 assists per game. He also shoots 37% from downtown and 85% from the free-throw line. In Wednesday’s game versus the Knicks, Maxey dropped 35 points and five assists.
Guard Buddy Hield was recently acquired from the Indiana Pacers and he gives the Sixers another threat on the perimeter who excels as a catch-and-shoot option. The Oklahoma product is averaging 22.3 points, four rebounds and 7.5 assists in four games with the 76ers. On Feb. 14 against the Heat, Hield finished with 22 points, 10 assists and made five threes. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Cavaliers can cover
Guard Darius Garland is a smooth offensive weapon who possesses a quick release on his jumpers and will knock down shots on the perimeter. The Vanderbilt product logs 18.2 points and 5.9 assists per game. He’s dished out at least seven assists in four straight games. In the Feb. 12 game against the 76ers, Garland dropped 21 points and nine assists.
Center Jarrett Allen is a terrific two-way presence on the floor. Allen’s length disturbs shooting lanes and helps him be an effective shot blocker. The Texas product can rack up easy looks in the lane. Allen is eighth in the NBA in rebounds (10.6) and fifth in field-goal percentage (64%). He’s also notched five straight double-doubles. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Cavaliers vs. 76ers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 226 points. The model also says one side hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.