Another round of the NBA Cup returns, with nine pool stage matchups, including the NBA-leading Philadelphia 76ers up against a Cleveland outfit in desperate need of a win.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Cleveland Cavaliers
The 76ers have been outstanding to start the season with an 8-1 record, and although the talent is undeniable, they've managed to make it work from a team chemistry perspective quicker than many expected.
On the flip side, the Cavaliers were highly touted entering this season but they're languishing at .500 with a 4-4 record. Mitchell has been inconsistent, Harden is just motoring along, while Evan Mobley still hasn't broken out of the 18 and 9 mould we saw when he entered the league.
On their home floor, can the Cavaliers produce a big win in this NBA Cup pool game?
Same Game Multi
Leg 1 - Jaylen Brown 6+ Rebounds
His numbers are improving each game in this 76ers system, and when the big five all play together, Jaylen Brown's rebounding numbers stand out.
Brown is averaging 6.9 rebounds per game this season, but when all of the big five are playing, that number jumps to 8.8 from five games.
Hitting 6+ in all five games, Brown has recorded 8+ rebounds in four of those and double digits twice.
Leg 2 - Tyrese Maxey 4+ Assists
Tyrese Maxey's points production drops slightly when playing with the big five, but his assist numbers have a real spike in their five games together.
In the four games where one of the big five has been missing, Maxey averages exactly four assists per game, but when they're all firing he's averaging 6.6 assists across five games, hitting 4+ assists in all five.
Expect big Maxey minutes in an NBA Cup game, potentially 40+.
Leg 3 - LeBron James Over 13.5 RA
He appears to have found his role in this 76ers team when they're at full strength, and it's doing just about everything except scoring.
With the big five, LeBron is averaging 8.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists for an RA of 16. When someone is missing, these numbers take a substantial hit, dropping to 5.5 and 6.5 from two games.
No doubt facing the Cavs in this is a significant factor, and he will likely play around 35 minutes given it's an NBA Cup game.
Brown 6+ Rebounds / Maxey 4+ Assists / LeBron Over 13.5 RA @ $4.00
Value Bet
Donovan Mitchell 30+ Points @ $3.45
When these two teams met in their season opener, Mitchell was dominant with 32 points, but unfortunately for the Cavs he hasn't come close to this output since, so he's due.
Mitchell enters this off the back of 27 points against the Thunder last start, so he has found some form, and the combo guard has played well against the 76ers in recent times.
In four of his last six games against Philly, Mitchell has scored 30+ points, and if Jarrett Allen does miss, all the better for Don. He's averaging 30.1 points from his last 22 games without Allen.
