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Philly just went into the Garden on banner night and beat the champs. Now LeBron, Jaylen Brown and the Sixers come home to face a Cleveland team playing its first game. Our numbers say take the points with the Cavs, but they don’t know who’s on this Philly roster. I’m going with the board. Sixers.
The Matchup
- Philly already has a statement win. The Sixers won 106-100 in New York on Tuesday. Tyrese Maxey scored 28, Jaylen Brown had 19, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, and LeBron James added 14, 9 and 7.
- Cleveland’s opener. The Cavs went 52-30 last season and outscored teams by 4.1 a game. Donovan Mitchell averaged 27.9, James Harden 23.6 and 8 assists, and Evan Mobley 18.2 and 9 boards.
- Home opener. It’s Philly’s first game at Xfinity Mobile Arena this season, and Cleveland is playing its first game, period.
- Tip-off. 7:00 PM ET in Philadelphia, on ESPN.
Injuries
Jarrett Allen (knee) says he expects to play for Cleveland, and Khalifa Diop is out. Philly’s Dean Wade (ankle) took part in Thursday’s shootaround. Tacko Fall and Dominick Barlow are out.
The Number
Last season’s scoring margins plus home court make Cleveland about a two-point favorite. The board has Philly by two and a half to three and a half. That gap is the new roster: LeBron and Brown weren’t in Philly last season, so our number can’t see them, and when that happens we go with the board.
The honest case against: Cleveland was the better team last season by a lot, and Mitchell and Harden can win any game in the fourth quarter. It’s a Game Pick, a lean, and like every pick we post, it lands on the receipts page win or lose.
Bottom Line
Take the 76ers minus two and a half at . Lean. They just won at the Garden, they’re rested and they’re home. Trust the Process.
Lines as posted Thursday at 12:27 PM ET, after the Thursday injury check. Confirm them before tip.
Same-Game Parlay
One read in two legs. If Philly covers, Maxey is probably carrying the scoring again, like he did Tuesday. Every leg needs the same game, so this is one position, not two bets.
The angleMaxey keeps cooking at home and Philly wins going away.
Build it at FanDuel →FanDuel prices same-game parlays in its own builder, so there is no price here. Build the legs there and check the number before you place it.
Price: check your sportsbook for SGP pricing. Lines as posted Thursday at 12:27 PM ET; confirm them before you build the ticket. This parlay is a Game Pick. Player props not available in all states.
Best Props for This Game
Bets beyond the spread, from either side. With one game played, the trends lean on last season. These are Game Pick props, separate bets from our pick, so keep them small.
He’s still Philly’s top scorer, even with the new stars.
- TrendOver 22.5 in 52 of 70 games last season; 28 on Tuesday
- MatchupHe scored 27 against Cleveland in November
The line is down more than eight points from his average because of the new stars.
- TrendOver 20.5 in 62 of 71 games last season; 19 on Tuesday
- MatchupHe averaged 25.7 in seven games against these two teams last season
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