The red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers and the surging Philadelphia 76ers have one more date before the 2023 NBA All-Star festivities. Will the Cavs clobber Philly on the road? Or, will the Sixers cool off Cleveland?

Catch this game live on Thursday, February 16, at 8:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Cleveland Cavaliers (38-22/13-16 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Darius Garland
  • SG: Donovan Mitchell
  • SF: Isaac Okoro
  • PF: Evan Mobley
  • C: Jarrett Allen

The Cavs are undoubtedly one of the hottest teams heading into the halfway mark of the 2022-23 NBA season. Riding the big wave of a seven-game undefeated streak, Cleveland looks to victimize the Sixers one more time before the All-Star break. 

The Cavs, who are coming off a 117-109 victory at home over the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday, won the first meeting this season with Philly, taking down Joel Embiid and company back home in December to the tune of a 113-85 score. The Cavs shot an incredible 60.8 FG% in that game while also draining 15 of 29 attempts from behind the arc. Don’t be surprised to see Cleveland be that hot again offensively. Over their last 10 games, the Cavs have averaged 112.8 points on 51.4 FG% shooting, 58.2 eFG%, and 60.9 TS%. Their defense has been more effective even, allowing just an average 100.8 points in the same stretch.

The Cavs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.

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Home: Philadelphia 76ers (37-19/22-8 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: James Harden
  • SG: De’Anthony Melton
  • SF: Tobias Harris
  • PF: P.J. Tucker  (DTD)
  • C: Joel Embiid

The Sixers aren’t too shabby themselves either of late. After destroying the Houston Rockets last Tuesday at home, 123-104, to help the city of Philadelphia feel a bit better following the Eagles’ Super Bowl loss, the Sixers have managed to extend their win streak to three games. 

Moreover, the Sixers have gone 12-3 SU in their last 15 outings. Joel Embiid and James Harden flexed their muscles versus the hapless Rockets, with the former scoring 23 points with six rebounds and four assists, while the latter came away with 28 points and 109 assists. The Sixers should also be a much bigger threat to Cleveland this time around. Not only is Philly the home team this Thursday, but it also will have Harden unlike in the first meeting when the former league MVP was absent due to injury.

The Sixers have covered the spread in four of their last five home games.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Sixers (-2) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (216.5) hits the Over.