Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/16/2018

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, December 16, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Philadelphia as 7.5 point favorites.

The 76ers have a record of 19-11. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 1.8 as they average 113.8 points per game while giving up 112.0 per contest. The Cavaliers have an overall record of 7-22 this season. They are 4th in the Central Division. They average 103.3 points per game and surrender 111.3, good for a point differential of -7.9.

Valuable Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 13-17-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 17-12-0 against the over/under

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 14-15-0 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 13-16-0 against the over/under

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

12/15/18 G Jimmy Butler Groin is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
11/20/18 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/11/18 F Tristan Thompson Foot is out indefinitely
11/26/18 G JR Smith Possible Trade is out indefinitely
11/16/18 F John Henson Wrist is out indefinitely
10/29/18 F Kevin Love Foot is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid comes into this contest averaging 27.0 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 13.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 79%. Ben Simmons averages 15.7 points per game in 33.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.7 assists per contest and 9.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 57% for the year while his free throw percentage is 58%.

Player Spotlight

Rodney Hood averages 13.0 points per game while playing 28.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.5 rebounds per game and has 2.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 91%. Jordan Clarkson averages 16.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.4 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia averages 113.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 47.4 rebounds per game and 26.3 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 4th with 15.7 per game. The 76ers allow 112.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 9th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.1 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 21.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 12.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 27th in the league with 103.3 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -7.9. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They are 19th in the league in rebounding with 44.2 boards per game, and 30th in assists per contest with 19.6. The Cavaliers are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.1. The Cavaliers surrender 111.3 points per contest, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 23.7 assists allowed per contest and 6th with 42.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The 76ers are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 109, and their offensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 13th. They are 7th in the NBA in pace with 101.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA. Philadelphia is 6th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 24th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 1st in the NBA. The Cavaliers are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 115.8, and their offensive rating of 107.6 is ranked 30th. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 29th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's 76ers/Cavaliers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Cleveland +7.5

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