The Philadelohia 76ers look to continue their rally back in the standings against the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, but they’ll have to do it on the road, and without their premier big man, Joel Embiid

Catch the game tomorrow at 9:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Philadelphia 76ers (9-16, 5-7 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Tyrese Maxey
  • Kyle Lowry
  • Kelly Oubre
  • Paul George
  • Joel Embiid / Andre Drummond

The Sixers are 6-2 over their last eight contests, averaging 108.6 points per game and allowing 103.4 points on the other end. They are on their best stretch yet this season. Tomorrow will be extra tough, though, since it’s against the top-seeded Cavaliers in Cleveland, it’s their second night of a back-to-back, and Joel Embiid is out due to injury management. Also, they lost to the Cavs last November 14th, 114-106.

Nevertheless, with Embiid sidelined, Tyrese Maxey (24.9 PPG) and Paul George (16.3 PPG) will be the main options. The former has been doing his thing, and should be expected to perform again, while the latter is hoping to be more efficient. George has improved over the last few weeks, but only shot 2-for-12 for five points during Saturday’s 108-98 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Andre Drummond, Guershon Yabusele, and KJ Martin will receive more minutes due to Embiid’s absence. Kelly Oubre Jr. (13.4 PPG) will most likely be the third man behind Maxey and George, though. He had 22 points on 8-of-19 shooting vs. CHO, and is shooting a career-best 46.6% from the floor on the season.

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HOME: Cleveland Cavaliers (24-4, 15-1 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Darius Garland
  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Isaac Okoro
  • Evan Mobley
  • Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers have stayed hot. They are on a three-game winning streak, and have also won seven of their last eight games, where they have compiled 119.6 PPG topped off by a huge +14.2 point differential. 

Like Philly, the gang will also be on zero-days rest. They just got done dominating the 2024 NBA Cup champions Milwaukee Bucks, 124-101, wherein they shot 50.5% from the field, buried 20 threes, and had six guys reach double-digits.

In the aforementioned win over the Sixers this past November, leading scorer Donovan Mitchell led the way as usual with a near-triple double: 27 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists; Darius Garland was right behind him with 25 points and six dimes; and Jarrett Allen double-doubled with 11 points and 12 boards. Evan Mobley had okay numbers in that win (14 pts, 7 rebs), but he’ll most definitely remain as a threat.

PICKS:

Spread: Sixers (+11)

Over/Under: Over (220.5)+

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