The Cleveland Cavaliers (36-7) and Philadelphia 76ers (15-27) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The game will broadcast live on NBCS-PH and NBA League Pass.
The Cavaliers are 10.5-point road favorites over the Sixers on the spread (Cavs -10.5), with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. Cleveland is a -535 favorite to win outright, while Philadelphia is +400 to pull off the upset.
Let's get to my Cavaliers vs. 76ers predictions and NBA picks for Friday, January 24.
Cavaliers vs. 76ers Prediction, Picks
Spread
I will not be betting on either team to cover the spread in tonight's matchup. However, I will be backing Cleveland in a different market.
Over/Under
My Sixers vs. Cavaliers best bet is on the Cavs to go over their team total of 119.5 points, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Cavaliers Team Total Over 119.5 Points
Cavaliers vs. 76ers Odds, Spread, Over/Under
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 228.5 -110 / -110 | -535 |
| 76ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 228.5 -110 / -110 | +400 |
- Cavaliers vs. 76ers spread: Cavaliers -10.5
- Cavaliers vs. 76ers over/under: 228.5 total points
- Cavaliers vs. 76ers moneyline: Sixers +400, Cavaliers -535
- Cavaliers vs. 76ers best bet: Cavaliers Over 119.5
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers NBA Preview
At 36-7, the Cavaliers are having a dream season and are off to the best start in franchise history. However, that will not make Wednesday's loss sting any less.
Down by two with 2.1 seconds left, Darius Garland drew a foul on 3-pointer that was upgraded to a flagrant one for a reckless closeout by Rockets forward Tari Eason. However, Garland, a 90 % free throw shooter entering the game, missed two of the three free throws. Garland finished 3-for-8 from the free throw line and the Cavaliers fell 109-108 in Houston.
Garland will get another shot at the Rockets tomorrow, but his first opportunity to bounce back will come against the 76ers tonight. He is enjoying a strong season, averaging 21.2 points and 6.7 assists with 50/42/87 shooting splits. An All-Star in 2022, Garland will find out if he earned his second appearance next Thursday.
His backcourt mate, Donovan Mitchell, will be an All-Star for the sixth consecutive year after he was named a starter last night. The Louisville product is averaging 23.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season and has scored 30 points in three of his last five games.
However, his scoring numbers are a bit down from what we come have to expect from Mitchell, but it has led to a more balanced scoring attack.
The Cavaliers have six players averaging in double figures this season and they are second in the league in points per game. However, they will be missing one of their key cogs as Evan Mobley remains out with a calf injury.
The Sixers know about missing star players all too well this season as they have had Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George available together for just 10 games this season. Embiid will be out once again as well as Andre Drummond and Caleb Martin.
Without Embiid, you can expect heavy usage from Maxey once again. Maxey has scored 25 points or more in each of his last eight games while having a usage rate north of 25% and attempting at least 19 field goal attempts.
George is averaging just 17 points per game this season, his lowest since the 2014-15 season, when he was returning from injury. However, he has contributed in other areas, averaging 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season. His Rebounds + Assists combo is an attractive parlay piece tonight.
Cavaliers vs. 76ers Best Bets, Predictions
The Sixers are coming off a three-game road trip. They lost all three games and is on a seven-game losing streak overall. Philadelphia has allowed 120 points or more in four of those games. The Bucks, Knicks, and Nuggets have topped 123 points against the Sixers in three of their last four games.
Philadelphia's defense would have another difficult challenge against the Cavaliers, who are double-digit favorites. If they cover, it will likely be due to another high scoring effort.
Mitchell, Garland, and Jarrett Allen have been produced consistently of late, particularly without Mobley. However, George Niang (who is returning to Philadelphia tonight), Ty Jerome, Caris LeVert (if he plays tonight), and Max Strus are all capable of 20-point outings as well.
Cleveland is averaging 121.7 points per game this season. With a typical performance against a struggling Sixers defense, it will top 120 points tonight.
Garland has scored 20 points in six of his last seven games, while Allen has scored 12 points in eight of his last nine games. He will not have to worry about Embiid tonight, who has gotten him in foul trouble in the past, and he should be able to take advantage of an undersized Philadelphia frontcourt.
That will also call for George to hit the glass more. George has nine rebounds in three of his last five games, but he has also tallied five assists in six straight games.
With that in mind, I love George over 11.5 rebounds + assists tonight. George may set up Maxey a few times, but Maxey has no problem getting his own shot.
Maxey has scored 25 points in 10 consecutive games without Embiid. He has played 38 minutes in eight of them and attempted 20 field goals in nine. That volume and opportunity will help him get to 25 points tonight and hopefully cash this parlay.
Best Bet: Cavaliers Team Total Over 119.5 Points (-120)
Sixers vs. Cavaliers Parlay Picks
- Tyrese Maxey 25+ Points
- Darius Garland 20+ Points
- Jarrett Allen 12+ Points
- Paul George Over 11.5 Rebounds + Assists
Parlay Payout: +365 via DraftKings
Cavaliers vs. Sixers Betting Trends
