The Philadelphia 76ers (19-11) will travel to Quicken Loans Arena to meet the Cleveland Cavaliers (7-22). The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 16, 2018.
Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last matchup. The Cavaliers (9.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks, 114-102, while the 76ers (3-point favorites) fell to the Indiana Pacers, 113-101. The Cleveland game went 4.5 points under the projected point total of 220.5, while the Philadelphia game went 7.5 points under the projected point total of 221.5.
Philadelphia had an offensive rebounding percentage of 32.1 (above their season average of 23.4) while Cleveland held Milwaukee to an effective field goal percentage of 0.489 (below their season average of 0.554). Larry Nance Jr. played a key role for Cleveland with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Philadelphia rallied around Joel Embiid, who put up 40 points and 21 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Tristan Thompson led the Cavaliers to a 121-112 victory. He notched a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Cleveland covered as a 13-point underdog and the two teams combined for 233 points, which was well over the projected point total of 217.5. Cleveland had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.1 vs. 12.5). Philadelphia, meanwhile, did a great job of making free throws (20-26; 76.9 percent).
Of the 76ers’ 30 games, 17 have finished over the O/U total. Philadelphia is 19-11 straight up (SU), but they are just 13-17 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Philadelphia, games involving the Cavaliers have a tendency to finish under the total (55.2 percent). Further, Cleveland owns records of 7-22 SU and 14-15 ATS.
Nance Jr. has been playing at a high level as of late for Cleveland, averaging 11 points,7.8 rebounds,3.6 assists,1.4 steals over the last five games.
Philadelphia may struggle to create turnovers. Cleveland ranks ninth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.4 percent), while Philadelphia forces the second-fewest turnovers (11.9 percent). Also, the 76ers could have their way on the defensive side of the ball. They rank first in the NBA with an opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 0.499, while the offense of the Cavaliers ranks 29th in effective field goal percentage (0.495).
76ers at Cavaliers Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Cavaliers average 14.172413793103448 second chance points per game, which ranks 9 in the NBA. The 76ers rank 13 in second chance points allowed per game (13).
- Philadelphia ranks fifth in assists per game (26.3) while Cleveland ranks 29th (19.6).
- The 76ers rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (31.7) while the Cavaliers rank 28th (25.0).
- Philadelphia ranks 13th in points off turnovers per game (17.4) while Cleveland ranks 29th (13.6).
- Philadelphia ranks 18 in points in the paint per game (47) while Cleveland ranks 27 (42.13793103448276).
- The 76ers rank ninth in fast break points per game (14.8) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (9.9).
- The Cavaliers rank 5 in steals allowed per game (7.068965517241379) while the 76ers rank 16 (7.933333333333334).
- Philadelphia ranks 11th in blocks per game (5.5) while Cleveland ranks 27th (2.4).
- Philadelphia is 6-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Cleveland is 2-2.
- The Cavaliers are 6-11 when they score above 100 points, while the 76ers are 19-9.
- Cleveland is 7-9 ATS at home, while Philadelphia is 4-9 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 8 of the Cavaliers’ 16 home games, while 8 of the 76ers’ 13 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Philadelphia and Cleveland are both 2-3 ATS.
- The 76ers have 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games, while the Cavaliers have 3 overs and 2 unders
- During their last five games, the 76ers have scored an average of 112.0 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 113.2 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
- The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.0, down from 7.9 for the season.
