Cavaliers vs 76ers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Back Cleveland Against Embiid-Less Philly

With Joel Embiid still sidelined, it’s only natural for the Philadelphia 76ers to be looking over their shoulders at the play-in zone — and they’re home underdogs in the NBA odds when they play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight.

The 76ers stumbled to a 110-96 loss against the Knicks last night despite 35 points from Tyrese Maxey, and they’ve dropped seven of their past 10 contests. Philadelphia is now just 1.5 games above the play-in spots.

The Cavs have more cushion in the standings but Donovan Mitchell’s absence was costly yesterday in a 116-109 setback at home to the Magic. Luckily for Cleveland, Mitchell should be back for this matchup after shaking off an illness.

Check out my free NBA picks for Cavaliers vs. 76ers on February 23 as we take a look at what could be a potential playoff preview.

Cavaliers vs 76ers odds

Cavaliers vs 76ers predictions

In some ways, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers role reversal has come out of nowhere over the past few months. After looking like a lock to grab a Top 3 seed in the East, Philadelphia has wobbled without Joel Embiid, while Cleveland has been on a stunning hot streak.

Though the visitors still have some ways to go to erase the stench of last season’s first-round playoff debacle, I’m picking the Cavs to take care of business here at Wells Fargo Center.

Cleveland has been a reliable road team all year, with an eye-catching 17-8 mark on its travels, and there shouldn’t be a fear factor in this spot against an Embiid-less Philadelphia lineup.

I expect the Cavs to bring the intensity after being outmuscled by the Magic last night, and I’m counting on a bounce-back effort from the Cleveland bench after some rough minutes yesterday.

Assuming Donovan Mitchell is back on the court, the visitors are deeper and more talented than the 76ers. While the Cavs can lean on double-digit scoring from all of their starters, the 76ers feel like a one-man band, though Kyle Lowry’s arrival should relieve some of the ball-handling duties on Tyrese Maxey’s shoulders.

Can Philadelphia generate enough offense if Maxey is bottled up? Last night against the Knicks, the answer was no, as Tobias Harris and Buddy Hield combined to go 8-for-24 from the field. I see a focused Cleveland team covering this small spread.

My best bet: Cavaliers -4.5 (-110 at bet365)

Cavaliers vs 76ers same-game parlay

Cavaliers -4.5

Tyrese Maxey Over 24.5 points

Tobias Harris Under 17.5 points 

30% boost available

+450 +585 at bet365

If Maxey didn’t already have a neon green light to let it fly before Embiid’s injury, he’s got one now. He’s had more than 20 field goal attempts in four straight games and got to the line nine times against the Knicks.

The 76ers star point guard should like his chances of generating good looks against Mitchell and Darius Garland here, and he’s averaging 27 ppg in February, even if the efficiency isn’t always there. I’m putting the Over on this adjusted Maxey points prop in my SGP.

Elevated to the No. 2 option, Harris has found life tougher, and he ended up with just seven points last night against New York while attempting only nine shots.

He’s had 13 points or fewer in three of his past four outings, and there will be nothing easy in the paint against Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. That feels like a recipe for the Under on Harris' points prop.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Cavaliers vs 76ers spread and Over/Under analysis

The Cavs have forced their way into the postseason contenders' conversation with an explosive start to 2024, and tonight represents a chance to take down one of their Eastern Conference rivals. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia side of the equation is hazier, with Nick Nurse’s men on an ugly run of six straight losses at home.

Beyond that, none of the trends carry much weight when Embiid is in street clothes. Sure, the 76ers have owned this matchup in recent years, with an 8-2 record in the last 10 meetings, including a 123-121 win on February 12 without the reigning MVP. However, they’re home underdogs in this one, and the Philadelphia moneyline is as high as +140.

Despite last night’s loss, the Cavaliers have been rolling. They’re 18-4 since January 1 and have won nine out of 10 before the All-Star break. I especially like the visitors’ frontcourt edge here, with Paul Reed and Nic Batum unlikely to match Allen and Mobley.

A line of 228 is a little higher than I’d expected for the total. Cleveland is allowing the second-fewest points per game in the league, while Philadelphia has been held under 105 points four times already this month.

The Under is 24-29-1 in the Cavs’ 54 games this season, and that feels like the safer play tonight, particularly if Mitchell is still dealing with an illness.

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Cavaliers vs 76ers betting trend to know

Look for Cleveland to make a fast start. The Cavs have hit the first-half moneyline in 31 of their last 46 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. 76ers.

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