After dropping an overall bad game to the Washington Wizards, the Philadelphia 76ers (15-7) look to rebound Saturday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers (5-16).
Coverage will begin at 7 p.m. with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Philadelphia and NBATV. Radio coverage will be on 97.5 The Fanatic.
The Sixers are 11.5 point favorites with an over/under that is still unsettled.
Injury Bug Strikes Again
Josh Richardson, despite making strides in his recovery, is expected to miss his fifth straight game with a hamstring injury.
The Sixers will also be without starting center Joel Embiid. Embiid reported he had hip discomfort after the loss to the Wizards on Thursday night.
Expect Furkan Korkmaz to start his fifth straight game for the 76ers, even though it should be rookie Matisse Thybulle. Thybulle has been stellar for the Sixers on both ends of the court while coming off the bench in Richardson’s absence.
The Sixers anticipated “big five” of Embiid, Simmons, Horford, Richardson, and Harris have only played a total of 102 minutes together this season. Interpret that how you wish.
Hosting a Familiar Foe
Saturday night’s game will already be the third time this season the Sixers face off against the Cavs. Despite winning both games so far, the Cavs have been a bit of a trap game for the Sixers. In game one, the Sixers edged out the Cavs by a point without Al Horford. The Sixers then won the following game much more handily, but it was one of the limited times they had all five starters.
Over their last 12 games, the Cavs have only won one game. They sit at the bottom of their division and third-to-last in the Eastern Conference. Because of this, they are now listening to Kevin Love trade offers, and look to just go full rebuild mode.
Prediction
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Sixers struggled throughout this entire game. Furkan Korkmaz has been struggling offensively, and Kyle O’Quinn will probably have to play in his first game since November 23rd. Despite the injuries, however, the Cavs are so inferior to the Sixers. The Sixers, while being shorthanded, should edge out a low scoring affair.
Sixers win, 95-91.
Mandatory photo credit: USA Today Sports / Geoff Burke
