By Dylan MacKinnon
The Sixers will try to complete the season sweep of the Cavaliers when the two teams face off later tonight. It is the 4th time they have met this season, with the Sixers taking every game so far. Both teams are playing the second game of a back-to-back. The Sixers are coming off a 30pt win over the Hornets, while the Cavs beat the Knicks by 18 yesterday.
The first time the two teams met the Sixers won 103-93. Joel Embiid dropped a 40pt triple-double on the Cavs in only 33 minutes. The next time it was Tyrese Maxey who took the lead, scoring 33 in a 125-119 win. Embiid was held to just 22 in that game, while James Harden scored 25 with 11 assists. And in the third game, the Sixers won 118-114 off of a 35pt, 17reb night by Embiid. Both Maxey and Harden finished with over 20pts again that night.
Embiid is questionable with left ankle soreness. Doc Rivers has sat Harden in the second half of a back-to-back both chances he had so far. He also sat Embiid the last time, but for the most part, Embiid has played in the second game of back-to-backs this season.
The Cavaliers meanwhile have a packed injury report. Evan Mobley (ankle), Jarrett Allen (finger), and Rajon Rondo (ankle) are all listed as out. Allen has missed 14 games in a row since he fractured his left middle finger and this will be his 15th. The Cavs are 6-8 in his absence. Mobley has missed 3 games since spraining his ankle. The absence of two of the Cavs’ primary front-court players will likely make it very hard for them to guard Joel Embiid, whom they already struggled to guard.
The Sixers are currently 2.5 games back from the Heat in the 1 seed. Additionally, they are 1 game back from the Bucks in the 2 seed and a half-game behind the Celtics for the 3 seed. All 4 teams play today, so there is a chance for a lot of movement in the standings by the end of the day.
The game tips at 6 pm, but our coverage begins at 5:50 with Devon Givens and the Pre-Game Show. Tom McGinnis is on the call. Join us to see if the Sixers complete the season sweep of the Cavaliers.