2 min read • March 16, 2022
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The 76ers ride into Ohio losing 3 of the last 5 games but sport a healthy roster with no significant injury issues while their opponent has been ravaged by the injury bug all season with their new loss being floor spacer and starting PF Dean Wade.
Cavaliers SIC Health Score 67.4
Each injury continues to impact the roster and starting lineup but then team from Cleveland has powered through sitting just above the play-in tournament cutoff line at 39-29. They continue to be without key players including Collin Sexton, Ricky Rubio, Jarrett Allen and Caris LaVert which may be the reason they have faltered of late losing 6 out of the last ten games.
Dean Wade will join the list of stars on the sidelines as he nursing a knee issue and although not as valuable as the previous names, Wade provides valuable floor spacing and defense in a lineup that lacks plenty due to the injury to defensive stalwart Jarrett Allen.
Finnish F Lauri Markkanen will return to the lineup after missing Saturday due to ankle soreness and will likely slide into Wade’s place in the starting 5. This opens the door for depth forward Cedi Osman (FD $4,300) who will likely draw the start and draw starter minutes. In his last 6 games, the Macedonian has averaged just under 10 points per game but can provide value if he can play over 30 minutes tonight.
After returning from a toe issue recently, G Rajon Rondo will miss the matchup versus the 76ers due to an ankle ailment.
76ers SIC Health Score 91.5
The number three team in the East has played well all season but have run into a slow patch playing under .500 ball in their last 5 games losing to Denver, Brooklyn and Miami. All three losses were to playoff contenders and they will face another in Cleveland Wednesday night.
MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid (FD $10,900) is listed as questionable due to back soreness but is expected to play according to head coach Doc Rivers.
If he does surprisingly miss, the Team SIC score will shift, but Embiid currently holds an individual score of 87 meaning we feel there will be no ill effects from the back soreness.
The Sixers ride into the matchup significantly healthier than the Cavaliers (barring Embiid plays) and hold a health score advantage of over 24 points. With such a large discrepancy, value can be had across the board:
76ers -2.5 - Philadelphia holds a tremendous injury advantage heading into the matchup, expect a road win for the healthier squad
Lauri Markkanen O15.5 Points - Should be fresh after resting ankle ailment, will play more minutes with Wade out
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