On Tuesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs are riding high entering tonight’s matchup, having won consecutive road games over the Washington Wizards and New York Knicks. Let’s get into it in our Sixers-Cavs betting preview.

While it’d be easy to argue the Cavs’ wins are fool’s gold – after all, those two teams are in 14th and 15th place in the Eastern Conference, respectively – they played the Boston Celtics tough in a six point loss on November 5.

The Sixers, on the other hand, enter the game coming off an uninspiring eight point win over the Charlotte Hornets at Wells Fargo Center. Prior to that win, the Sixers dropped three straight to end a four-game west coast trip against the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and Denver Nuggets.

The one caveat of note: the combination of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid barely played together in any of those contests. Embiid missed the Phoenix game as part of two-game suspension following an on-court fight with Karl-Anthony Towns, while Simmons injured his right shoulder after playing just ten minutes agains the Jazz.

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Sixers vs. Cavaliers Odds

Here’s the line for the Sixers and Cavaliers at DraftKings Sportsbook PA:

  • Spread: Sixers -10, Cavs +10
  • Moneyline: Sixers -590, Cavs +450
  • Total: 219.5

Something to keep in mind per “Big Bet Bob”: “Since 2005, home favorites that won but failed to cover its previous game are only 49-63-5 ATS in November. They’re only 5-17-3 ATS when favored between 9-11 points.”

 

No Al Horford, Potentially Big Problem

Horford’s been impressive thus far for the Sixers, averaging 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He’s been a big reason the Sixers have been able to weather the storm of Embiid’s suspension and Simmons’ injury. He hasn’t missed a game yet. Unfortunately, he’s scheduled to sit out tonight’s game as part of a predetermined plan for the big man to rest. Horford’s absence is important on a few levels: his playmaking and vision in the frontcourt can’t be overstated, and his ability to knock down a trailing three is out of the equation. So, too, is Brett Brown’s best option at the five when Joel Embiid sits. There’s one positive to come in Horford’s absence: a potentially big game from Tobias Harris, who will likely slide into Horford’s role as the starting power forward.

 

Will Ben Simmons Play?

There are a couple of unknown variables of varying importance heading into tonight’s game for the Sixers. In addition to big man Al Horford sitting out tonight’s game, guard Shake Milton is doubtful and Ben Simmons is questionable with the same right AC joint sprain in his shoulder that has kept him out of the last two games. If Simmons is unable to play, combined with Horford’s absence, it’s not inconceivable that the under would be a solid value pick.

 

Bets We Like with a Sixers Win

The Sixers are averaging 111 points per game, while the Cavs average 107 points per contest. Any pick of the Sixers winning is likely the safe bet, as FiveThirtyEight gives the Sixers an 85% chance of winning with a spread of -10.5. Add to that the fact that the Sixers have won their last 8 night games at Wells Fargo Center, and this feels like a win.

Sixers Win and the Over (+138, DraftKings)

If Ben Simmons is able to play tonight, and that’s a big “if”, the Sixers should have no problem putting up copious amounts of points in this one. The Cavs have only held their opponents under 100 points just three times in nine games. This isn’t a gifted defensive squad.

Sixers Win and the Under (+132, DraftKings)

If Ben Simmons doesn’t play against Cleveland, it’s going to be a hodgepodge of Raúl Neto, Trey Burke, and Josh Richardson manning the point, with varying scoring abilities among the three. While I’d forecast a big scoring game out of Tobias Harris, I don’t see him making up Al Horford’s nearly 16ppg on his own. Plus, 17 of the past 25 games played between the Cavs and Sixers at Wells Fargo Center have gone under the total points line.

 

Bets We Like with a Cavs Win

IF Ben Simmons is out and IF you’re of the opinion that Cleveland can pull off an upset, there’s one player prop worth looking at in conjunction with a Cavs win and you can find it over at FOX Bet PA.

Cavs Win and Cedi Osman Over 14.5 Points (+1300, FoxBet)

If you look at Cedi Osman’s scoring average this season (9.3 ppg, 9.8 ppg on the road), you’d think this is a reach. It is, but Osman has scored 18+ points in his last three games against the Sixers.

Prediction

The Sixers struggle to get into an offensive grove without Al Horford and fail to cover, but win the game.

Pick: Cavaliers +10.5, Sixers win.