The Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The 76ers are 3.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers on the spread, with the over/under set at 235.5 total points. Philadelphia is a -146 moneyline favorite to win outright, while Cleveland is a +124 underdog to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. 76ers predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, October 22.
Cavaliers vs 76ers Prediction
- Cavaliers vs 76ers pick: Peyton Watson 2+ Three-Pointers Made (+114, FanDuel)
My Cavaliers vs. 76ers best bet is Peyton Watson to make 2+ three-pointers. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
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Cavaliers vs 76ers Odds
- Cavaliers vs 76ers spread: 76ers -3.5 (-105), Cavaliers +3.5 (-115)
- Cavaliers vs 76ers over/under: 235.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Cavaliers vs 76ers moneyline: Cavaliers +124, 76ers -146
Cavaliers vs 76ers NBA Preview
The 76ers took care of the defending champion, celebrating, banner-hanging Knicks in Madison Square Garden on national TV in an entertaining 106-100 scrap on Tuesday.
Cleveland? This is our official introduction to them this season.
You'll see many of the same characters from last year, although Peyton Watson is perhaps the most important addition to the group, and is expected to (and paid as if he will) be a major factor in their own title push.
We got our first look at the LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe Sixers on Tuesday — and there's no telling how often these five will play together this season, but the good news is that they're expected to tonight.
Dean Wade (ankle) sat out Tuesday and is questionable to play for Philly against his old team tonight.
For the Cavaliers, Jarrett Allen (knee) is questionable, while Nae'Qwan Tomlin (back) is out for an extended period.
Cavaliers vs 76ers Pick, Betting Analysis
Speaking of Watson, I'm leaning toward him performing in his Cavs regular season debut.
The former Nugget wing, who was dealt for via sign-and-trade this off-season, won't have the on-ball reps that he did, which ultimately earned him a $230 million deal over five years.
But part of banking on Watson's development is believing in the shooting — and if anyone will put that to the test, it's Kenny Atkinson.
Cleveland shot the seventh-most threes per 100 possessions, and Watson shot 45.7 percent from deep — 42-for-92 — in an 18-game stretch from New Year's Eve through February 3, which made him a nine-figure player.
Seriously. He averaged 22.2 points during that run, but the shooting was a revelation.
I like him to hit two from deep in this game. Just two.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden still run the show, obviously; Evan Mobley is a factor as well and a big part of Cleveland's continued ascent.
But Watson's main developmental crutch will have to be the wing shooting he can provide next to D-Mitch and The Beard, followed by everything else.
Pick: Peyton Watson 2+ Three-Pointers Made (+114, FanDuel)
