For the past few seasons, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the best team in the Eastern Conference and the Philadelphia 76ers were the worst. In 2017-18, they are much closer to equals. The 76ers are on pace to make the playoffs this season while Cleveland is no longer sitting atop the standings. These two teams will face off this week in Cleveland and the result could have a big impact on the playoff race.
Philadelphia is only 2.5 games behind Cleveland in the standings as they are among several teams bunched very closely together. The 76ers have won eight of their past 10 games and are looking strong, but the home court advantage and slightly better record should make the Cavaliers the favorite in this matchup.
Cleveland has done a poor job all season of covering the spread and will aim to turn it around in this one, or, at the very least, come away with a much-needed victory.
Don't miss the hardwood action from the Quicken Loans Arena at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 1, 2018. Catch every moment of the game live on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Thursday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The 76ers are 32-26 straight up and 32-25-1 against the spread. Philadelphia is 13-15-1 against the spread on the road this season. The 76ers are 12-11-1 against the spread as the underdog.
The Cavaliers are 35-24 straight up and just 19-39-1 against the spread. Cleveland is an ugly 6-22-1 against the spread at home on the year. It is 10-35-1 against the spread as the favorite. For those who have consistently wagered against the Cavaliers this season, it has been a lucrative proposition.
Key Stat
3. That’s the number of billboards that have been placed in Cleveland attempting to lure LeBron James to the 76ers in free agency next season. It is an intriguing idea, as Philly is one of the up-and-coming teams in the NBA and boasts the star duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
James has been coy about his future plans, although the most likely scenario seems to be him returning to the Cavs. Philadelphia can give James an up-close-and-personal look at its improving team in this one.
Embiid is averaging 23.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per contest. Simmons is adding 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists. The 76ers also have No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, although he is dealing with a mysterious mental block/shoulder injury that has ruined his shooting motion.
The Cavaliers remade the roster at the trading deadline to give James some help, and it will be interesting to see how the teams match up in this one.
Previous Meeting
These teams met in Cleveland back in December, and the Cavaliers came away with a 105-98 victory. James starred in that one, scoring 30 points, hauling down 13 rebounds, handing out 13 assists and adding three steals.
Embiid didn’t play in that game because he hadn’t yet been cleared to participate in back-to-back nights. That was a big deal and the 76ers may have been able to be more competitive with their star big man.
Simmons had 14 points and 10 assists but Philadelphia didn’t have enough scoring bunch to pull off the upset.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The 76ers recently had a long winning streak snapped, but there is no doubt they are starting to click. While the Cavs have James, they are still trying to work in all of the players that have been added to the fold lately.
Take Philadelphia to pull off this upset on the road. It could pay off nicely, as Cleveland’s woes against the spread will continue yet again and the Eastern Conference playoff race will get tighter.
NBA Odds: 76ers 109, Cavaliers 106
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