James Harden Faces Toughest Defense Yet

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Odds

The Philadelphia 76ers have been unstoppable since buying and selling for James Harden — who appears a lot more healthy abruptly! — going 3-0 straight up and in opposition to the unfold because the deal. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a little bit of a spiral, having misplaced 5 of their final six, with the primary of these losses by the hands of the Sixers.

Can the Cavs work out a option to defend the Embiid-Harden duo, or will the Sixers romp proceed?

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Cavs Offense Struggling

The Cavs lastly acquired Darius Garland again from his again harm vs. the Hornets and he’s not listed on the harm report. You ought to be just a little cautious in case that again harm flares up, however as of proper now it’s not a priority.

Caris LeVert and Colin Sexton are out, and Rajon Rondo is uncertain.

The Cavaliers’ offense has been a catastrophe as of late; the Cavs are twenty sixth in offense the final two weeks and simply fifteenth on protection. Garland’s absence has contributed to that, however even with him, the Cavaliers have struggled. With out LeVert (and Ricky Rubio, and Sexton), they only don’t have the perimeter creators to open issues up.

On this matchup, even their protection is weak. Over the past 4 seasons, Jarrett Allen has given up a 60% eFG to Joel Embiid, practically eight factors larger than Embiid’s anticipated mark in these matchups. Allen is a good defender however can’t deal with Embiid’s physicality, which is how Embiid went for a 40-point triple-double of their final assembly and acquired to the road for 15 free throws.

What’s attention-grabbing is that if you dive into that final matchup, the Cavs didn’t get crushed in any specific play set or space. They weren’t overwhelmed on the offensive glass, didn’t get run over, and didn’t lose badly from 3-point vary (10 makes for Philly to eight for the Cavs). Embiid simply discovered sufficient sequences to slide in between to be efficient.

Primarily based on that, there’s purpose to suppose that the Cavs can gradual them down once more, however their offense goes to must discover a option to produce, and that’s an enormous concern.

76ers Will Face Hardest Protection Since Buying Harden

No harm issues for the Sixers.

When the Sixers run choose and roll with James Harden and Joel Embiid, they’re scoring 1.3 factors per possession, which is principally hotter than the solar. For those who drop, Harden hits you with a pull-up 3 or a floater. For those who double him, he finds Embiid lose for a brief jumper or a drive for a foul. For those who change it, Harden or Embiid attracts a foul on you. For those who leap out of the way in which completely, they draw a foul on you.

You get the image.

Their free throw price has been insane because the pair began taking part in collectively. The Cavs have the second-lowest free throw price of any staff this season, however they nonetheless gave up a better mark than common of their final assembly with Philly.

The Sixers additionally aren’t simply Harden and Embiid. They’re getting nice contributions from Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris has proven some life offensively just lately.

The Sixers are a juggernaut, however they’ve additionally performed the Wolves and the Knicks twice since Harden’s debut. The Cavs would be the finest staff they’ve confronted thus far.

Cavaliers-76ers Decide

Objectively, I’ve to offer the Cavs the sting right here. I’ve this projected at Sixers -2.9 based mostly on full-season numbers. Even adjusting for Harden and the improved commonplace the Sixers have performed at, I can’t get to 7.5 However that doesn’t imply I wish to play it.

Nonetheless, I do just like the underneath of 219.5. The Sixers haven’t performed a protection this good and whereas Embiid ought to feast as he at all times does, the Cavs ought to do a greater job defensively in opposition to the non-star-Sixers, sufficient to gradual them down. The Sixers’ protection gave up a better staff complete than the road in each video games vs. the Knicks, however this Cavs offense is definitely worse.

I’ll keep on with the underneath and keep away from the aspect, with some concern that the Sixers might show to be an excessive amount of and set off the over on the free throw line.

Decide: Below 219.5