Can Joel Embiid & the Sixers stop the red-hot Cavaliers?

Joel Embiid is back with the Sixers and picking up right where he left off. After a strong performance to close out a tight one against Atlanta, he looks to continue his dominating return against a Cleveland Cavaliers team that appears to have too many ways to score the basketball.

Game info for Sixers/Cavs

When: Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Tipoff: 7:00 PM EST
Where: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse | Cleveland, OH
How to watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Game preview for Sixers/Cavs

Donovan Mitchell is playing the most exciting basketball of his life and the Sixers will need all the help they can get to prevent him from carrying the Cavs to victory. Mitchell’s 28.9 points a game is seventh in the NBA and he gets those points in all sorts of ways – knocking down threes, driving to the basket, and getting to the free-throw line at a consistent rate. With Matisse Thybulle still out, P.J. Tucker will likely be Mitchell’s primary assignment. Containing him without fouling him and keeping Mitchell off the charity stripe will prevent him from having the 30-point nights were so used to seeing.

As for Embiid, every bit of what we say of him against Atlanta will need to be repeated tonight. Thankfully, Embiid’s defensive athleticism is far from gone and was on full display as he finished with two blocks and two steals – it will be needed to contain both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen when they’re on the floor at the same time. If Embiid can quickly switch from one big to another, their sheer overwhelming combination of size should be contained and force the Cavaliers to play on the perimeter.

Paul Reed will look to continue his hot streak despite Embiid’s return. Reed, like the Cavs’ offensive core, can score in multiple ways and will look to match their versatility. He’ll look to outshine several of Cleveland’s critical role players like Caris LeVert and Cedi Osman, both of who are a big game away from essentially guaranteeing a victory for the Cavaliers.

AP Photo/Matt Slocum