The Cleveland Cavaliers open their 2026-27 season Thursday at the Philadelphia 76ers (1-0). Tip from Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze NBA odds around the Cavaliers vs. 76ers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025-26 season series: Cavaliers won 4-0
Cleveland's offseason was mostly quiet after the Cavs went 52-30 and finished the regular season as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. After 7-game series wins vs. the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons, they were swept by the New York Knicks in the conference finals. The Cavs' biggest move was sending G Dennis Schroder and F Max Strus away in a 5-team sign-and-trade to acquire former Nuggets F Peyton
Watson, who averaged 14.6 points per game (PPG) in 2026. The Cavs also extended G Donovan Mitchell (27.9 PPG) for 4 more years and re-signed G James Harden (23.6 PPG, 8 assists per game) to a 3-year deal.
Philadelphia came away with a 106-100 win over the defending NBA champion Knicks in the season-opener, playing spoiler to New York's ring ceremony and covering as a 4.5-point road underdog while the Under (231.5) cashed. G Tyrese Maxey led Philly with 28 points, but 6 Sixers scored in double figures in the win. The Sixers trailed 58-54 at half, but newly acquired forwards LeBron James and Jaylen Brown combined for 16 points and 7 assists to lead Philly on a 29-18 third-quarter run that would lead to the win. James finished with 14 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds while Brown went for 19 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
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Cavaliers at 76ers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | 76ers -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers +2.5 (-105) | 76ers -2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 235.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Cavaliers at 76ers key injuries
Cavaliers
- C Jarret Allen (illness) questionable
- C Khalifa Diop (knee) out
- F Nae'Qwan Tomlin (back) out
76ers
- F Dominick Barlow (back) out
- C Tacko Fall (quad) out
- C Ariel Hukporti (achilles) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Cavaliers at 76ers picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 120, Cavaliers 116
Moneyline
PASS.
Philadelphia will cover as a -155 home favorite, but it's not worth paying extra for a smaller potential payout when I am also picking the Sixers to cover ATS. Pass here and back Philly ATS for a cheaper bet and a higher potential payout.
Against the spread
BET 76ERS -2.5 (-115).
The Sixers didn't have a great offensive game against the Knicks, they shot just 11 of 40 (28%) from 3-point range, and the only players who shot at least 50% from the field were Brown (7 of 14) and reserve G Anfernee Simons (5 of 10). Even with that, the Sixers still won by 6 against a Knicks team that matches up way better against them defensively, so winning by at least 3 won't be a problem for the Sixers here.
This bet is riskier than the moneyline, so if you aren't quite as confident in the Sixers to cover, then placing a small wager backing them on the ML is a fine replacement.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 235.5 (-110).
Neither of these teams should be able to guard the other. The Cavs have the bodies down low, but they won't have a way to guard the Sixers on the perimeter when they're playing both Harden and Mitchell at the same time. On the other side, the Cavs should have a lot of success in the pick-and-roll, attacking the slow feet of Sixers C Joel Embiid. Look for both teams to take a lot of 3s, and expect that at least one of the guards on each team puts up big scoring numbers.
This is a lean because it's still early in the season, so sloppiness and some rust could still be factors that impact the Over/Under.
Best prop bet
76ers G TYRESE MAXEY OVER 22.5 POINTS (-136 FanDuel Sportsbook).
Cleveland has a lot of defense in the frontcourt, but the Cavs are lacking perimeter defense, especially in their starting lineup, and that's a weakness that Maxey will be able to exploit consistently. Maxey took 19 shots in the season opener, the most on the Sixers, and he also led the Sixers with 8 points in both the opening and closing quarters of that win. This offense starts and stops with Maxey, and it's clear he will be getting his shot attempts up no matter what.
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers odds, picks and predictions
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