Cavaliers-Sixers Betting: Garland, Trends, Harden, Props

The Philadelphia 76ers are now 3-0 since James Harden arrived and they have a home tilt against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Cavaliers-Sixers Odds

Spread: +7.5 (-110)
Total: 216.0 (-110)
Moneyline: Cavs +250
Time: 7:00 pm
Odds: PointsBet

The Cavaliers welcomed Darius Garland back on Wednesday(119-98 loss to the Hornets), though Caris LeVert (foot) remains out. Rajon Rondo (toe) is out as well for Friday night’s matchup.

Offensively, Cleveland has been a mess with so many backcourt players in and out of the lineup. Defensively, they remain a fierce opponent, though as The Action Network’s Matt Moore explains, Philly brings a major test on both sides.

The Cavs have the second-lowest free throw rate of any team this season, but they still gave up a higher mark than average in their last meeting with Philly.

The Sixers also aren’t just Harden and Embiid. They’re getting great contributions from Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris has shown some life offensively recently.

The Sixers are a juggernaut, but they’ve also played the Wolves and the Knicks twice since Harden’s debut. The Cavs will be the best team they’ve faced so far.

Cleveland’s ability to limit Embiid will be key and they should be better equipped to do so than the Knicks and the Wolves (the two teams that have played the Sixers since the trade).

Moore believes the 7.5-points are too many points for the Sixers to give up playing this Cavaliers team, though he finds that the under on the total is the better play given the defensive consistency of Cleveland.

More Cavs-Sixers Notes

Trend to Note: The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six contests. Garland has only played in three of those games, however.
Prop to Watch: James Harden has double-doubled in two of his first three games as a Sixer and the price on this prop has fluctuated. During the first contest, it was -180; it rose to -200 last Sunday; and skyrocketed to -375 during Harden’s home debut. Against the Cavaliers on Friday night, it’s down to -250. Harden has 31 double-doubles on the season with only eight players registering more, including Jarrett Allen (32).
Update on DeAndre Jordan: Jordan won’t suit up against the Cavaliers on Friday night after inking a deal with the Sixers, though he’s expected to play on Saturday night in Miami.