NBA Wednesday: 76ers Host Cavaliers in Rare Home Favorite
Seven NBA games tonight featuring Philadelphia as home favorites against Cleveland, plus Knicks-Kings, Nuggets-Mavericks, and more betting action.
By Sharp Money Mike
Wednesday night brings us seven NBA games with some interesting lines to dissect. The headliner has Philadelphia hosting Cleveland in a game where the 76ers are actually home favorites for once—a rarity this season. Let's break down where the value is tonight.
The Quick Hit
- Featured game: 76ers (-1.5) vs Cavaliers, O/U 237 at 7:00 PM ET
- Late window: Knicks at Kings (10:00 PM ET), Wizards at Clippers (10:30 PM ET)
- Sharp play: Wizards +12.5 has shown 58.5% model probability with a 6.1% edge
- Total watch: Bulls-Jazz at 246.5 points is the highest over/under on the board
The Full Slate
| Game | Time (ET) | Spread | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavaliers at 76ers | 7:00 PM | PHI -1.5 | 237 |
| Raptors at Pacers | 7:00 PM | TOR -2.5 | 223 |
| Jazz at Bulls | 8:00 PM | CHI -2.5 | 246.5 |
| Nets at Pelicans | 8:00 PM | NOP -4 | 219 |
| Nuggets at Mavericks | 9:30 PM | DEN -1.5 | 224 |
| Knicks at Kings | 10:00 PM | SAC -2.5 | 228 |
| Wizards at Clippers | 10:30 PM | LAC -12.5 | 224 |
76ers vs Cavaliers: The Main Event
Philadelphia (22-16) hosting Cleveland (22-19) is one of those games that tells you how weird this NBA season has been. The Cavaliers have been inconsistent despite their hot start, and they've actually been brutal against the spread—one of the worst ATS teams in the league at one point.
The 76ers get Tyrese Maxey in this spot, and he's been carrying this team when healthy. Cleveland has the talent to win, but their road struggles have been real. The spread opened at PHI -1.5 and has held steady, suggesting the market is comfortable with that number.
The play: This feels like a track meet. Both teams can score, and the total at 237 might actually be low given the pace both squads play at. Lean toward the over if you're looking for action.
Knicks at Kings: Late Night Value?
The New York Knicks head west to face Sacramento in a 10:00 PM ET tip. The Kings are 2.5-point home favorites, and Jalen Brunson will try to carry the Knicks on a road trip where fatigue could be a factor.
Sacramento has been inconsistent at home, but Russell Westbrook has provided a spark off the bench. This game could be a coinflip, which makes the Knicks +2.5 interesting if you believe in Brunson's ability to steal one on the road.
The Sharp Play: Wizards +12.5
According to betting models, Washington +12.5 against the Clippers shows a 58.5% probability with a 6.1% edge. That's one of the largest edges on the board tonight.
Look, the Wizards are terrible. Everyone knows this. But 12.5 points is a lot to lay in the NBA, even against bad teams. The Clippers might coast with the playoffs in mind, and garbage time can get ugly for favorite backers.
Bulls-Jazz Has the Highest Total
If you're a points junkie, Chicago vs. Utah has you covered. The over/under is 246.5—the highest on the slate by a wide margin. Both teams play at pace and neither plays much defense. This could easily hit 260 if both offenses get rolling.
The Bottom Line
Wednesday's slate isn't loaded with marquee matchups, but there's value scattered throughout. The 76ers-Cavaliers game is the one to watch, Wizards +12.5 is the sharp lean, and if you want pure action, hammer that Bulls-Jazz total and enjoy the track meet. Let's ride.