Cavs at Sixers preview and gamethread
The Cavs can’t dwell on the late game blunders in Houston and take care of business in Philly.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to make up for their late-game mistakes in Houston and get back in the win column against the slumping Philadelphia 76ers.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (36-7) at Philadelphia 76ers (15-27)
Where: Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA
When: 7:00pm EST
TV: FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass
Line: Cavs -10.5
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen
Cavs injury report: Evan Mobley - OUT (calf), Isaac Okoro - OUT (shoulder), Caris LeVert - QUESTIONABLE (right wrist), Luke Travers - OUT (G League),
Expected Sixers starting lineup: Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre, Paul George, Guerschon Yabusele
Sixers injury report: Joel Embiid - OUT (knee), Andre Drummond - OUT (Toe), Kyle Lowry - OUT (hip), Caleb Martin - OUT (hip), KJ Martin - OUT (foot), Jared McCain - OUT (knee, season-ending), Pete Nance - OUT (G League),
What to watch for
”I must crush you”
That title has to be the mentality for the Cavs against a bad, and skidding, Sixers team that is at a crossroads in their season. Especially after coughing up an opportunity to win in Houston.
Darius Garland has been excellent in the clutch all season, and Wednesday’s shocking loss at the hand of missed free throws is a tough pill to swallow. Garland should be angry and in attack mode against a Sixers defense that he lit up for 25 points on 9-11 shooting back in January. Look for him to set the tone early and show his teammates that he’s moved on from the loss in the Lone Star State.
As Ted Lasso said to his struggling defender Sam Obisanya: “Be a goldfish”.