NBA Wagering Cavaliers @ Sixers
The Cleveland Cavaliers (18-3 SU, 17-4 ATS, 10-11 O/U) have won and covered the spread for BetUS NBA online betting backers in a whopping, nine straight games. Over a quarter of the way into the 2008-09 campaign and the Philadelphia 76ers (9-12 SU, 8-12 ATS, 6-12-2 O/U) are still struggling to find their new identity after acquiring perennial all-star forward Elton Brand in the offseason.
Tonight, the Sixers will try to halt the ‘runaway’ Cavaliers and superstar LeBron James.
The Cavs won their NBA-record ninth straight game by 12 or more points on Tuesday, beating the pants off the struggling Toronto Raptors 114-94 to cover the spread as a 12.5-point home favorite in the BetUS Sportsbook.
James scored 31 points on 11-for-18 shooting from the field, sitting out the entire fourth quarter on a night when he became Cleveland’s all-time career leader in steals.
The Cavaliers broke the record of eight straight wins by at least a dozen points with four other teams – Portland (1990-91), Chicago (1996-97), Detroit (2003-04) and Houston (2007-08).
“That’s unbelievable,” said James. “Knowing the history of some of the great teams, the Chicago Bulls team that went 72-10, the Celtics teams, the Lakers teams and the Pistons teams, it’s unbelievable for our franchise to accomplish something like that.”
Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas chipped in 13 points and became the franchise’s career leader in rebounds on the night as well.
“We treat everybody the same,” Ilgauskas said. “We respect everybody, but we fear nobody.”
The Cavs will host a Sixers team that has been disappointing in almost every aspect despite signing Brand, a perennial all-star.
Philadelphia is coming off a dismal 95-84 loss to the New Jersey Nets on Saturday, failing to cover the spread for backers as a 2.5-point home favorite.
Brand, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder at 16.7 points and 10.0 boards per game, has missed the team’s last two games with a strained right hamstring but is expected to play tonight.
Philadelphia shot 36.4 percent from the field in their loss to the surprising Nets, led by shooting guard Andre Iguoadala who scored 20 points on 5-for-15 shooting. Reserves Louis Williams and Donyell Marshall each added 13 points.
“We are continuing to try to play fast basketball and we had no fast break points in the second half,” Philadelphia head coach Maurice Cheeks said. “It was disappointing because that is how we really want to play. … (It’s) a very telling thing.”
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Cleveland is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Philadelphia’s last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Philadelphia’s last 12 games when playing Cleveland
Philadelphia is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Cleveland
BetUS Odds
Cleveland Cavaliers -6½ -110
Philadelphia 76ers +7½ -110
Over 186½ -110
Under 186½ -110
Analysis: The outcome of this contest is certainly not in doubt as the Cavaliers will win their 10th straight game tonight at Philadelphia’s expense while covering the spread with room to spare.
Take the Cavaliers NBA Sportsbook bettors and don’t look back.
