Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Analysis
Who would have dreamed the Cavaliers would be favored by double digits over the 76ers in Philadelphia before the season started? But here we are, and as far as BetUS handicapper Sean is concerned, even the 10 ½ point head start the home team is getting is not enough to deter him from including the rampaging Cleveland Cavaliers as one of his NBA favorites today.
Although Cleveland’s Evan Mobley will remain sidelined for this one with a calf injury, that’s a walk in the park compared to the MASH unit that is the 76ers. Everyone from Joel Embiid to Caleb Martin to Kyle Lowry to Andre Drummond is all out, which leaves a skeleton crew for Philadelphia.
The Sixers have dropped 7 consecutive contests and have surrendered at least 115 points six times during that seven-game skid. They have also failed to cover the number in 9 straight games and are coming off a 144-109 blowout to the Nuggets in Denver on Tuesday night.
How is this decimated crew going to hang and bang with the best team in the league? These teams met a month ago, and the Cavs roared to a 126-99 victory. They didn’t even break a sweat, and I suspect we will see similar results tonight.
Include Cleveland as one of your NBA game predictions today.
Pick: Cavaliers -10 ½ (-110)
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Analysis
The Pelicans will not have the services of Zion Williamson tonight, but center Yves Missi (illness) and point guard Dejounte Murray (elbow) are likely. Nevertheless, I’m not sure that really matters all that much, nor does our resident BetUS handicapper Sean, as he is siding with the home chalk and including the Grizzlies in his NBA picks today.
Memphis has won and covered 4 of their last 5 meetings against the Pels, and tonight’s tilt feels like more of the same. The last time these teams tipped off, the Grizzlies notched a 132-124 win and covered as 7-point chalk against a much healthier New Orleans squad.
These are two teams going in polar opposite directions. The Grizzlies have been smoking lately, winning and covering in 5 of their last 6, including a 132-120 win over the Hornets in their last outing while the Pelicans barely edged the lowly Jazz, 123-119, on Monday as 11-point home favorites.
As an aside, who would ever make the Hornets double-digit favorites against anyone, including the Little Sisters of the Poor? But tonight, they will catch hell on the glass without Williamson to defend, and this will be a rout from start to finish. My only concern is that the Grizzlies may become disinterested at the end, which could result in a backdoor cover for the bad guys.
