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NBA Picks: 76ers Host Cavaliers, Model Favors Under
23 Oct
Summary
- The SportsLine model favors the under on 235.5 total points.
- Cleveland's defense improved with offseason addition Peyton Watson.
- The Sixers averaged 111 points against Cleveland last season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to make their season debut on Thursday, visiting the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers enter the game with a 1-0 record after winning their season opener. Last season, the Cavaliers won all four regular-season matchups against the Sixers.
SportsLine's projection model, which has a proven track record of profitability on NBA picks, is recommending a bet on the under for the game's total score of 235.5 points. The model simulates each game 10,000 times and predicts a combined score of 231 points for this matchup.
The model's prediction is supported by past performance, as the last two meetings between these teams last season went under the total. Additionally, the Sixers did not reach the total in their season-opening win. Cleveland's defense, bolstered by the addition of Peyton Watson, is expected to limit scoring opportunities.
The Sixers' offense struggled against the Cavaliers in the 2025-26 season, averaging 111 points, their third-lowest against any Eastern Conference opponent. This suggests a potential for a lower-scoring game despite the Sixers' opening night performance where they held their opponent to 100 points.
