Cleveland is red-hot on a 10-game winning streak, the latest coming in a 106-90 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Philadelphia has won two of their last three games, but are coming off a 91-85 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Sixers won the first game of the season between the two sides 95-92, but Cleveland was playing without LeBron James.
Projected Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers (29-20)
G Kyrie Irving – 21.8 ppg, 5.2 apg
G J.R. Smith – 13.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg
F LeBron James – 26.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 7.5 apg
F Kevin Love – 17.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg
C Timofey Mozgov– 9.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Philadelphia 76ers (10-38)
G Michael Carter-Williams –15.3 ppg, 7.3 apg, 6.2 rpg
G K.J. McDaniels – 9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg
F Robert Covington – 12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg
F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute – 9.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg
C Nerlens Noel – 8.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg
What to watch for:
Who slows down Michael Carter-Williams?
Carter-Williams destroyed Cleveland in their first matchup of the season with 18 points and 13 assists. He was able to be so effective because of his ability to get past Kyrie Irving and into the paint. The Cavs could fix that by putting LeBron James on Carter-Williams, but then they're undersized on the wing. Philadelphia's only chance to win is if Carter-Williams is dominant again, and Cleveland will do everything they can to stop him.
The Revenge Factor
The Cavs weren't the most motivated team last time they were playing Philly and lost focus, but that won't be the case in this one. I expect Cleveland to come out and play with a lot of intensity, and Philadelphia is going to have to match that to stay in this one.
Prediction: Cavs win 118-88
Cleveland is more talented, is playing better, and don't want to be embarrassed by the Sixers again. I think the Cavs to jump out to a big lead early and turn this one into a blowout in the first half.
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