For the second time in three days, the Philadelphia 76ers will host the Cleveland Cavaliers in South Philly, looking to get some revenge for Wednesday night's loss. The 133-107 loss was one of the largest of the season for a Sixers team that's trying to form its identity, especially in a congested Eastern Conference.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (23-19) at Philadelphia 76ers (22-17)
When: 7:00 p.m. EST
Where: XFinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pa.
Watch: ESPN, ESPN2, NBC Sports Philadelphia
With a chance to put some space in a two-game set between themselves and the seventh-place Cavaliers, the Sixers couldn't get anything going against a team that seemingly couldn't miss.
Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe both struggled, which has rarely happened this season. The duo shot just 8-26 from the field and even worse, just 3-14 on their three-point attempts. They combined for 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists, which isn't as good a stat line as Maxey usually puts up on his own.
While everyone on the team seemed to be having issues with shooting, defense, or a host of other issues, Paul George shot 50% from the field and on his three-point attempts on his way to 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists, which is a good sign for the oft-injured star.
The Sixers' other big question this season was Joel Embiid, who's already passed his games-played total from last month and had 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists against the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers have been mediocre in almost every way this season, but Donovan Mitchell continues to enjoy dominant spurts.
Mitchell was 11-22 from the field and 5-12 on his three-point attempts, but was a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. His 35 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists paced a Cavaliers team that shot 52.6% from the field and 43.5% from long distance.
They'll need more from Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De'Andre Hunter if they're going to repeat their win over the Sixers tonight. If they're unable to come out shooting and rebounding as they did, it will be a very long night.
Revenge, served ice cold by Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, and the rest of the roster that was embarrassed in front of their home fans on Wednesday night. The way the Sixers have started to come together, there will be expected bumps in the road yet; they'll look to move past Wednesday and right the ship tonight.
The team, for the first time in years, is competitive and healthy, but still learning how to play on the same page this season. While head coach Nick Nurse has had to make more lineup changes and scheme ideas over the past two seasons than any coach should be asked, this year's iteration of the Sixers seems to be coming together nicely.
After Wednesday's loss, the Sixers will come out looking to make a statement on both ends of the court. Embiid has grown comfortable with his health, and his game has reflected that, so he won't sit quietly and allow the Cavs to run all over him this game. More physicality on both ends of the floor is needed and should be expected tonight.
Sixers 123 - Cavaliers 115
