Eastern Conference Powers Clash as Cavs Visit 76ers
Cleveland on Four-Game Win Streak
The Cleveland Cavaliers try to move closer to the top of the Eastern Conference standings when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. The opening tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Cleveland won its fourth in a row on Friday night, defeating the Indiana Pacers for the second time in three games. The Cavaliers improved to 35-21 and are tied atop the Central Division standings with the Chicago Bulls, with both teams a half-game ahead of the third-place Milwaukee Bucks.

The 76ers have won two of three and are coming off a Friday night victory at home over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Philadelphia is 33-22 and leads the Atlantic Division by 1½ games over the second-place Toronto Raptors and two games over the Boston Celtics.
If you want to bet online on this key contest, the NBA lines have the 76ers as 3½-point favorites at home, with the over/under set at 207½ points. Philadelphia is listed at -170 on the moneyline, while Cleveland is +150.
Making an Impact
The Cavaliers made a big move this week, acquiring guard Caris LeVert from the Pacers. LeVert got a shot at his former team on Friday night, and made it count, scoring 22 points in Cleveland’s seven-point victory.
“Tonight had a little more on it since I was just here a week ago,” LeVert, who was traded to Cleveland on Sunday, said after Friday’s win. “It was definitely weird energy, just being here a couple days ago. But it is what it is; you can get traded any day in the NBA — especially around the trade deadline. But it was definitely good to get the win.”
LeVert has played two games with his new squad, averaging 16.5 points, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals. For the season, he’s scoring 18.6 points and dishing out 4.4 assists per contest, and he gives Cleveland a solid defender on the wing.
LeVert may need to step up his offensive game in this one as well, as Cavaliers leading scorer Darius Garland was sidelined Friday with back issues and is considered day-to-day. The All-Star guard is averaging 19.9 points and 8.1 assists per game and went for 27 points, five rebounds and six assists on Wednesday against San Antonio.
Center Jarrett Allen will be a key, matched up against Philadelphia center Joel Embiid. Allen is averaging a double-double of 16.3 points and 11.2 rebounds per game while also blocking 1.4 shots per night.
Waiting Game
The 76ers have been waiting all season to determine what would happen with the Ben Simmons situation as the All-Star guard was sitting out. Now that it has made a deal to send Simmons to the Nets for James Harden, Philadelphia must wait again, as Harden and Paul Millsap, who came to the team in the trade deadline swap, won’t be available.
Philadelphia still has Embiid, who is making his case for MVP honors this season. The big man is averaging a league-best 29.3 points while ranking ninth in the NBA with 11.1 rebounds per game. He’s also contributing 4.3 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals every night he steps on the floor.
Forward Tobias Harris is quietly having a very good season. Harris is averaging 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, providing Philadelphia with a consistent second scorer, though he may see his numbers take a little bit of a hit once Harden is in the lineup.
Another player who will have to adjust his role is guard Tyrese Maxey, who has been handling the ball more with Simmons out. The second-year player is averaging 17.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and a team-best 4.8 assists, but with Harden, who is second in the NBA in assists per game with 10.2, coming aboard, Maxey will likely move off the ball and possibly to a bench role again.
76ers Get Home Win
Even if Harden hasn’t played a game yet, Philadelphia has to be energized to have him on the team and the Simmons fiasco behind it. That will show up on the court in this one, as the 76ers win as they start their drive to the top of the Eastern Conference.
When doing your NBA betting, take Philadelphia to win and cover at home.