The Cleveland Cavaliers (18-8) will attempt to lengthen their seven-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers (13-11) at Quicken Loans Arena. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017.
Cleveland is a 5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 218 points.
Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers Free Prediction
The last time the 76ers played, they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-104. Los Angeles’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Philadelphia. The Lakers had a rate of 9.4 (better than their season average of 14.7), while the 76ers posted a mark of 16.6 (above the 13.4 mark opponents have averaged against Los Angeles this season). Joel Embiid was the game’s leading scorer with 33 points on 11-for-17 shooting.
The Cavaliers were beaten by the Indiana Pacers in their last matchup, 106-102. Indiana’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over Cleveland. The Pacers had a rate of 25.5 (above their season average of 21.3), while the Cavaliers posted a mark of 19.1. LeBron James put together a good game for Cleveland, leading the team in scoring with 29 points on 12-for-22 shooting.
This battle pits one of the NBA’s top offenses against one of its elite defensesCleveland ranks fourth in effective field goal percentage (0.551), while Philadelphia is fourth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.497).
Philadelphia holds records of 13-11 straight up (SU) and 15-9 against the spread (ATS). It’s tough to find a trend for games featuring the 76ers in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Cleveland has a solid 18-8 SU record, but they are just 9-15-1 ATS. Of the Cavaliers’ 25 games that accepted bets, 14 have finished over the O/U total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. James put up 30 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in the first game, in which the Cavaliers, who were 2-point underdogs, defeated the 76ers 113-91. The game finished with a total of 204 points, which was 20 points below the projected point total of 224 points. Cleveland made 15 of its 37 three pointers (40.5 percent). Philadelphia, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (38.6 vs. 26.2).
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Philadelphia is 7-4 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 4 unders.
At home, Cleveland is 1-11-1 ATS with 7 overs and 6 unders.
Philadelphia is 4-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Cleveland is 8-0.
When scoring more than 100 points, the 76ers are 12-7 and the Cavaliers are 18-6.
Philadelphia ranks third in assists per game (25.7) while Cleveland ranks 29th in assists allowed per game (24.8).
The Cavaliers rank fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while the 76ers rank last (5.8).
Cleveland averages 32.6 three pointers per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Philadelphia ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (30.5).
The 76ers rank first in rebounds per game (49.1) while the Cavaliers rank 18th (42.6).
Cleveland ranks 10th in steals allowed per game (7.6) while Philadelphia ranks 25th (8.7).
The 76ers rank third in second chance points per game (15.0) while the Cavaliers rank 18th (12.0).
Philadelphia averages 47.0 points in the paint per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Cleveland ranks 19th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.7).
The Cavaliers rank 13th in points off turnovers per game (17.7) while the 76ers rank 25th (15.3).
Cleveland ranks 23rd in fast break points per game (8.8) while Philadelphia ranks 26th (8.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Cleveland is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The 76ers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.6, up from 0.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 110.6 points per game (0.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.4 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
