Cavaliers vs. 76ers: The best player prop bets for March 4
So much for Joel Embiid and James Harden needing time to find their groove. Philly's new dynamic duo has led the 76ers to three straight wins since "The Beard" made his eagerly anticipated debut on Feb. 25 in a one-sided romp against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Philadelphia has won each of its last three outings by 15+ points, and Embiid and Harden have combined to average 60.0 points, 19.3 rebounds, and 15.6 assists during that span. And here’s the scary part: They’re just getting warmed up. The two All-Stars are still earning one another’s tendencies and habits on the fly, and should be even more potent once Doc Rivers modifies his playbook to take advantage of their mutual strengths.
Embiid and Harden will have a chance to work on their chemistry in real-time tonight when Philadelphia hosts Cleveland. The Cavaliers have lost five of their last 10 games and are reeling after a 119-98 blowout to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. Cleveland coughed up the ball 14 times in that contest and allowed Charlotte to shoot 50% from the floor and 45% from beyond the 3-point line.
Can the Cavs bounce back tonight, or will the Embiid-Harden one-two punch prove too much to overcome? Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, and we have the three best player prop bets below.
Tyrese Maxey Over/Under 1.5 3-pointers made
Much has been made of how Harden has opened the court for Embiid, and rightfully so, but he’s also done wonders for Tyrese Maxey. The sophomore guard has averaged 24.7 points over his last three games in large part because of the pressure Harden’s scoring and playmaking puts on opposing defenses. Teams have to pick their poison when the former MVP drives into the lane, and more often than not they’re double-teaming Harden and leaving Maxey open for uncontested 3s.
Tyrese Maxey clearly paying attention when James Harden is working at practice 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/O7YXpkgLtr
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 3, 2022
The Kentucky product went 4-6 from deep in Wednesday’s emphatic win over the New York Knicks and has hit at least two 3-pointers in each of his last three games. That mark is up noticeably from the 1.3 made 3-pointers that Maxey was nailing before Harden’s arrival. Expect him to go off again tonight.
Pick: Over 1.5 3-pointers made (+135)
Joel Embiid Over/Under 3.5 assists
Every now and again oddsmakers drop a beautifully-wrapped present in your lap, and that’s precisely what we have with the plus odds being offered on Joel Embiid surpassing 3.5 assists. "JoJo" has long been one of the best-passing bigs in the game, and he enters tonight’s contest averaging a career-high 4.4 dimes. Embiid is also just one game removed from dishing four assists against the Knicks, and has handed out four or more assists in a game 29 times this season.
Joel Embiid threw my favorite pass I've seen from him ever last night pic.twitter.com/sOTbFHG7SF
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) January 24, 2022
Granted, Harden’s presence means Embiid’s usage percentage will drop over time, but it also gives him another lethal shooter to pass to when he inevitably gets double-teamed in the post. Consider this prop a gift given just how electric Harden and Maxey have both been lately.
Pick: Over 3.5 assists (+121)
Evan Mobley Over/Under 7.5 rebounds
Some players just have a nose for the ball. Evan Mobley is one of them. The 7’0” rookie is averaging 8.1 rebounds and has hauled down 10 boards or more 15 times this season, including in two of his last three games.
Mobley will have a chance to pad his stats again tonight against a Philly team that ranks 29th in rebounding and gives up a staggering 45 boards per night to opponents. Take the Over and enjoy watching one of the game’s most promising young stars as he cleans the glass like a boss.
Pick: Over 7.5 rebounds (-113)
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