NBA betting tips: High-flying Cleveland Cavaliers to add to Philadelphia 76ers misery
The stage is set for a blockbuster weekend in the NBA as a number of high-profile match-ups promise an enthralling few days of basketball.
To start things off on Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies look to continue an impressive season at home to the woeful New Orleans Pelicans while the struggling Philadelphia 76ers welcome league leaders the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the Cavaliers then playing host to the dangerous Houston Rockets on Saturday, it is a big weekend for the championship hopefuls from Ohio.
Sports News Blitz writer George Dempsey returns with the best betting tips ahead of the action.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers
The Cavaliers coasted to an easy 114-106 win when these two sides met back in November, and they followed that up with a resounding 126-99 victory in the December fixture as the 76ers’ terrible start to the season continued.
January has subsequently offered no respite for the struggling Philadelphia franchise, with a 2-10 record indicative of ongoing issues.
To make matters worse, six of those defeats have come by a margin of at least ten points while three of them saw the 76ers trailing by more than 20 come the final hooter.
On Wednesday, they suffered a 144-109 trampling at the hands of the Denver Nuggets that exposed their lack of presence in the paint.
Joel Embiid’s absence left a particularly noticeable hole on both sides of the floor, with replacement Andre Drummond posting a poor stat line of eight points, five assists, and two rebounds.
Guerschon Yabusele managed 22 points off the bench on the night to help keep the margin to only 35 points, but he only pulled in three boards.
And with Drummond now set to miss Friday’s game at the Wells Fargo Center, Yabusele will likely have to start.
In contrast, the Cavaliers are healthy and raring to go.
Although they have at least three players out injured, the Cleveland franchise boast remarkable depth and currently possess the best record in the league.
They also suffered a frustrating 108-109 loss to the Rockets in their last outing and will in all likelihood be highly motivated to bounce back against the 76ers.
Having racked up 120+ points on nine occasions during their run of 12 straight wins through late December and early January, the Cavaliers are well-known for their explosive offence.
With Philadelphia’s defence enduring a testing time of late, it falls to their offence to attempt to keep this game close.
Unfortunately, that is unlikely to happen as Paul George and Tyrese Maxey have largely failed to step up in Embiid’s absence this season.
As if that was not bad enough, the 76ers are a meagre 4-14 ATS on home court this season and only 3-6 ATS as a home underdog.
Suggested bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -10
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