76ers vs Cavaliers Picks and Predictions: Cavs Topple Shorthanded Sixers

The Philadelphia 76ers (12-9) are doing their best to stay above water while they deal with extensive injuries to their scoring core. With Tyrese Maxey and James Harden still out, Joel Embiid has shouldered an increased load.

On Wednesday night, they hit the road to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-8), who have dropped two of their last three and are looking to capitalize on a five-game stretch during which they’ll be at home for four.

Can Embiid put the team on his back for another win, or will Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers take advantage of the shorthanded Sixers?

Continue reading for my 76ers vs Cavaliers NBA picks and predictions for Wednesday, November 30th.

76ers vs Cavaliers best odds

76ers vs Cavaliers picks and predictions

When James Harden and then Tyrese Maxey went down with presumed month-long injuries, the short-term outlook on the Sixers rightfully cratered. That’s not to say the supporting cast beyond those two and Joel Embiid is incapable, but losing such dynamic ball-handlers and scorers in that short of a span would flip any team on its head. 

While both Harden and Maxey have been both out (since Maxey's injury on November 18th), the Sixers have still managed to stay at least middle of the pack in offensive rating (14th). That spans across six games, and with Embiid playing in just three of those.

In the three games Embiid has played, he’s averaged 31.3 points and 7.0 assists, taking on the bulk of the offensive load. Shake Milton has also stepped up big time to help fill the scoring and playmaking void, leading the team in scoring in three of the last six games and averaging 23.2 points and 6.7 assists in that stretch.

Speaking of recent form, the Cavaliers have turned things around during that time, having won five of the seven games they've played since November 18th. This came following a five-game losing streak after their 8-1 start that took the league by surprise.

And despite what you may think, it hasn't been on the back of elevated offensive efficiency. Cleveland ranks a pedestrian 19th in offensive rating during that seven-game stretch, and has actually found renewed success on the back of a much-improved defense. During that same time, their defensive rating of 105.4 ranks second in the league.

Evan Mobley is starting to find his footing with the new roster following his Rookie of the Year-worthy campaign last year. He has secured a double-double in three of his last four games, and has put together back-to-back games of 18 points/15 rebounds and 20/13.

Despite what the Sixers have managed to do in light of crucial injuries to their backcourt, the Cavs are playing in a more sustainable way. If they can find ways to clean up the turnovers or push the tempo against a Sixers team that ranks sixth-worst in points allowed on fast breaks, they should be able to press quite an advantage on Wednesday night.

My best bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -3.5 (-107 at PointsBet)

76ers vs Cavaliers spread analysis

The Cavaliers opened as -3.5 home favorites and have stuck at that number across the market.

Cleveland is 11-8-2 against the spread this year, good for ninth-best in the league. And despite winning five of their last seven, the Cavs are just 3-4 against the spread during that span and are 3-9 ATS in their last twelve.

The Sixers are 12-8-1 ATS, good for seventh-best. Due to their surprising play during these injuries, they have gone 7-2 ATS in their last nine.

Despite these trends pointing in the Sixers’ direction, the game situationally favors the Cavaliers, who are 6-1-1 ATS as home favorites. Philadelphia is 2-3 as a road underdog this year.

76ers vs Cavaliers Over/Under analysis

The total opened at 211 and has since crept down to the 209.5 range. Both the Sixers and Cavaliers are 11-10 to the Under this year.

The Sixers are 4-1 to the Under as road underdogs, largely due to Embiid's staggering splits on the road. He averages 7.3 fewer points, 1.8 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 5.0 free throw attempts on the road while averaging 1.3 more turnovers and 0.9 more fouls.

76ers vs Cavaliers betting trend to know

The Cavaliers are 6-1-1 against the spread as home favorites. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Cavaliers.

76ers vs Cavaliers game info

76ers vs Cavaliers key injuries

Pages related to this topic