The Sixers season seems to have stalled on the Walt Whitman Bridge; Joel Embiid remains sidelined and Philly has slipped to 15-27 and on the wrong side of the East's play-in cut line. Meanwhile, it's a rare chance to go with the Cavs off of a loss (Wednesday at Houston), as they're 5-1 after previous defeats, the only loss those puzzling back-to-back losses vs. the Hawks in late November. Philly might have bottomed out in the 144-109 loss at Denver on Thursday; Sixers fans can only hope so, as that result stretched the losing skid to seven straight, and the last three of those, the Sixers haven't been closer than 13 points. Play Cavs

Besides Philly's seven-game skid minus Joel Embiid (who hasn't played since January 4 and remains out tonight), there are other developments for the Sixers. No surprise that no Embiid has slowed the offense considerably, as Philly hasn't scored more than 109 in regulation time across its last six games. Minus Embiid, Tyrese Maxey is carrying a very heavy offensive burden now as he has led the Sixers in scoring in ight of the nine games Embiid has missed in this recent absence. Meanwhile, the Cavs can play tight defense when the mood strikes as in the last two vs. the Suns and Rockets, games that both handily stayed under earlier this week. Play Cavs-Sixers Under

This is a hefty combination line for Max Strus who averages approximately 14 PRA per game. Strus plays 20-23 minutes a game and even if Caris LaVert misses this game, Strus minutes should remain in this range. There is also a chance that Strus doesn't close the game in the event the Cavs blow out a reeling 76ers team. I'd play this down to 16.5.

The Sixers are going through the motions and Joel Embiid is still out and they have been even worse at home for the most part than they've been on the road. Cavs ML let us down by terrible ending and missed FGs. In their last 23 games the Cavs have just two instances of going 2 in a row without covering. Cavs smashed the Sixers by 27 a month ago. Cavs 9-3 ATS at home when a favorite of under 10 points. Sixers have gone 9 games without covering and covered once in last 12 games. Were just a 13-point dog at MIL, but just 9.5 here? Sold.