There have been a few different through-lines for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. Donovan Mitchell has been a scoring machine, the team’s chemistry is elite, and most worryingly, the defense has struggled in a major way without Jarrett Allen manning the paint.
Allen is out again tonight when the Cavs host the Philadelphia 76ers, and that problem is only exacerbated by the presence of the league’s best post player, Joel Embiid. The Sixers have owned the Cavs in recent years; do the short-handed Cavs stand a chance?
Betting odds, spread, over/under
The saving grace for the Cavs is that the 76ers are short-handed as well, with James Harden and Tyrese Maxey out for tonight’s game. That is why the Cavaliers are favored by 4.0 points according to WynnBet, and the over/under point total is set to 212.5.
Cavs injury report
Jarrett Allen (out, back); Kevin Love (out, thumb); Lamar Stevens (questionable, illness); Ricky Rubio (out indefinitely, knee); Dylan Windler (out indefinitely, ankle)
Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup tonight
Cavs: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley
76ers: Shake Milton, De’Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker, Joel Embiid
Prediction
It’s entirely too reductive to simply say “Joel Embiid + No Jarrett Allen = Philadelphia win” but it’s incredibly tempting. To hold Embiid down the Cavs are going to need to send quick doubles when the big man gets the ball in the paint and trust in their rotations on the back end to smother the Sixers’ shooters. It’s doable, but it would be a lot easier with Jarrett Allen on the back line.
That being said, the Cavs can take advantage of the missing Sixers as well. The defensive weakness of this team is in the backcourt, but neither Shake Milton nor De’Anthony Melton are equipped to fully take advantage. That will help and could see the Cavs breaking out their zone a little more often.
Melton will get the assignment on Donovan Mitchell more than likely, which could mean this is a big game for Darius Garland. The Cavs already like to get their points on the perimeter and this game will be no exception with Embiid and P.J. Tucker inside.
The 76ers have been rolling even with their injuries, and the Cavs have been struggling with theirs. That probably means that the wrong team is favored here. Look for Embiid to have a big game, Garland and Mitchell to match, and the final margin ultimately being decided by which role players hit their shots. For now, the money is on Philly.
Prediction: Philadelphia 108, Cleveland 103
76ERS (+4.0), UNDER
What channel is the Cleveland Cavaliers game on?
The Cavs will host the Sixers on Bally Sports Ohio, and Philly fans can tune into NBC Sports Philadelphia. The rest of the world can tune into NBA League Pass. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers live stream
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Cleveland Cavaliers next games and schedule
Fri, Dec. 2nd – Cavs vs Magic
Sun, Dec. 4th – Cavs @ Knicks
Tue, Dec. 6th – Cavs vs Lakers
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change