NBA Pick: Cavaliers +2.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The Eastern Conference in the NBA doesn’t compare to the West, but the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers are two of a handful of teams in the East that can do serious damage in the playoffs. In a rubber match of a three-game series, can the Cavaliers prevail at home?
Let’s see what the NBA odds tell us at the best sportsbooks!
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – 07:30 PM EDT at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
The Philadelphia 76ers will look to stay in front of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference standings. The 76ers have earned one more win than the Cavaliers this season but have five fewer losses than the Cavaliers.
The season series is tied at one, so this will be the rubber match of the three-game series between these two teams in the East. We might see this matchup again in the NBA playoffs eventually.
Here are our NBA picks and predictions for Wednesday’s NBA matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers.
Will the 76ers Continue Win Streak?
The 76ers are on a five-game winning streak. It all began on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks. Since that game, the 76ers have faced non-playoff teams. But still, a winning streak in the NBA takes time to come by.
The 76ers have scored 118 points per 100 possessions while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 56.2%. The Sixers get to the foul line at a high rate but rarely earn many offensive rebounds.
Cleveland’s defense is one of the few teams that can stop the Sixers. The Cavs have allowed just 110.6 points per 100 possessions on the defensive end while giving up a 54.1% effective field goal percentage. Cleveland is above-average in every essential defensive category this season. The Cavaliers have held teams to a 20.7 free throw rate and have allowed just over 26% of offensive rebounds.
The Cavaliers have also added 16.1% of turnovers, which is fourth in the NBA.
Will Cavaliers Match 76ers With 45 Wins?
The Cavaliers have five more losses than the 76ers, but a win tonight would tie the 76ers in the win column. Cleveland has scored 116.7 points per 100 possessions while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 55.7%. They’ve also turned the ball over 14% of the time and have earned 26.7% of offensive rebounds. Chances are, Cleveland wins the battle on the glass against the 76ers.
However, there’s a real chance that Jarrett Allen doesn’t play tonight due to injury. That would hurt the Cavaliers on the glass. He’s considered a Game-Time Decision.
Meanwhile, the 76ers have allowed 113.7 points per 100 possessions. They’ve also allowed teams to shoot a 54.3% effective field goal percentage, which is still a solid number. Philadelphia’s big struggle is fouling. Teams have had a 22.1 free throw rate against the Sixers this season. But still, Philadelphia usually wins the foul-shooting battle as they’ll get to the line at a much higher rate.
It’s just that the Cavaliers don’t foul nearly as much as Philadelphia does on the defensive end.
Prediction and Picks
Both teams are on major hot streaks right now. The 76ers have scored at least 117 points in four of their last five games and have allowed three teams to add at least 119 points in those five games. Philadelphia has played good defense against some teams but has struggled against others.
The Cavaliers are an above-average offense that should be able to stick around with the 76ers in this matchup. Cleveland added 120 and 114 against the Hornets in their last two games and even watched the Miami Heat drop 119 on them in their lone loss in the last five games.
With the total sitting at 220, the Over is appealing. The 76ers haven’t had a game with less than 112 points throughout their five-game winning streak. They’ve been red hot on the offensive end. That would mean that the Cavaliers would need 109 points to help push us Over the total. That’s very doable between these two teams. I think the Cavaliers score even more.
Cleveland and Philadelphia are both great offenses and great defenses, but offensive firepower usually overtake defense, especially in regular-season NBA matchups. I’ll also take the Cavaliers to earn a cover at home. As long as Allen and Donovan Mitchell are in the lineup, I’ll trust the Cavaliers to escape the 76ers at home.
For Cleveland residents looking to bet on this game, you can do it at our top Ohio betting sites.
Score Prediction: Cavaliers 117 – 76ers 112
NBA Pick: Cavaliers +2.5 (-110) at BetOnline
NBA Pick: Over 220 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
