Game Thread | Game #61 | Cavs @ Sixers | Feb. 15, 2023

[CavsFaninNJ]

I think the whole standings things is overrated before games like this. After 82 games, I would much rather be in the 3 spot than the 4 spot for a slightly better first round matchup for this young team - but whether the team gets the 3 spot will be determined by the final 21 games much more than this one game. Of course there is the tiebreaker that the Cavs can take tonight, which is great, but chances are these teams won't be tied.

THAT BEING SAID I am very excited for this game against another top team in the east - really the only other team on the "second tier" with the Cavs this season. What a great test. And that standings element does sweeten it a little - winner can be #3 going into the break.

 

[2 For The Brew]

I think the whole standings things is overrated before games like this. After 82 games, I would much rather be in the 3 spot than the 4 spot for a slightly better first round matchup for this young team - but whether the team gets the 3 spot will be determined by the final 21 games much more than this one game. Of course there is the tiebreaker that the Cavs can take tonight, which is great, but chances are these teams won't be tied.

THAT BEING SAID I am very excited for this game against another top team in the east - really the only other team on the "second tier" with the Cavs this season. What a great test. And that standings element does sweeten it a little - winner can be #3 going into the break.

I agree with all this. Even a big win or big loss is about one game and not a “statement” one way or the other.

I expect the game thread will take a similar philosophical approach tonight and not overreact one way or the other. The equanimity consistently exhibited nightly is inspirational.

 

[MikeOC33]

Wham with the Right Hand, just gotta say again, and it has been rightly said before- your write-ups are AMAZING. SPECTACULAR. Better than anything I think I could find anywhere else. Thank you SO much for the time, effort, research, writing abiity and Cavs Care that you bring to this site. GREAT stuff. Thank you very much.

 

[cavsfever]

He was out from Nov. 20-27. In his first game back he scored 30 points in 35 minutes against Atlanta, then 19 points in 29 minutes against Cleveland two days later, then 35, 39, 38, and 53 in the next four games. I don't see any indication that he was "off" when we played them. He was really good before and after that game.

As I recall, the Cavs did a good job of delayed double-teaming him in the low post after he backed down to his spot and was about to take the shot. They forced him to pass out of the double team late in the shot clock and then did a good job of contesting the late 3-point attempt.

It's hard to believe they held him to 6-for-16 without Allen, but they did a great job.

The Sixers rank 6th in the NBA in frequency of corner 3's so the Cavs need to be aware of Embiid kicking it to the corner if he gets doubled. The Sixers make 39% from the corner.

I stand corrected!

Also agree with what Mike said above concerning the quality of your write ups. Thank you!

 

[Pierre Pan]

Well, when I went to bed , the Sixers were a 2.5 point favorite ; Cavs are a 1 point favorite now. That’s a pretty significant move which suggests to me that Embiid isn’t playing. One piece of bad news is that Rubio is now QUESTIONABLE with an “illness”

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

The Celtics sat Tatum down last night to give him a longer rest over the All-Star break (he's playing in the game, I assume). Maybe the Sixers will sit Embiid since he's going to be participating in the game as well. He's supposed to have a sore foot but he played 31 minutes in their last game.

 

[Pierre Pan]

 

[CavsFaninNJ]

The Celtics sat Tatum down last night to give him a longer rest over the All-Star break (he's playing in the game, I assume). Maybe the Sixers will sit Embiid since he's going to be participating in the game as well. He's supposed to have a sore foot but he played 31 minutes in their last game.

Sore foot? With his injury history I wouldn't play him through that. Not to get a small leg up on the 3rd or 4th seed. Shit, I might sit him in a game to clinch the 3rd seed. His feet still make me nervous.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

The reason the Sixers play slowly is Embiid has never been well-conditioned. Allen needs to run in transition and he needs to look for chances to beat Embiid down the floor on missed or even made buckets.

That could explain why the Sixers give up the third most fast break points despite not committing that many turnovers.

I agree - if Allen can beat Embiid down the floor for lobs in transition we could some easy buckets and force their smaller players to foul Allen on the pass, getting them in early foul trouble.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

We beat them by 28 in Cleveland without Rubio, but LeVert had one of his best games of the year with 22 points on 11 shots with 6 boards and 4 assists. And Dean Wade played 31 minutes and was a +20 despite scoring only 6 points. Typical game for him.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

Whoever Harden is guarding (DM/DG) should go at the “Matador” hard on the offensive end and make him play defense. Get past him into the paint, make Embid help leaving JA and Mobley to score inside

 

[Dr No]

The Celtics sat Tatum down last night to give him a longer rest over the All-Star break (he's playing in the game, I assume). Maybe the Sixers will sit Embiid since he's going to be participating in the game as well. He's supposed to have a sore foot but he played 31 minutes in their last game.

Given that the line has changed overnight and we are now favored in their arena despite our poor road record (Vegas knows stuff), I would not be surprised at all if Embiid is sitting tonight. If I were his coach/GM I would likely sit him. They are all in for a championship this year. It matters little to them if they are the 3 or 4 seed - playing the second round without home court vs Boston or Bucks is very little difference. What does matter is getting to the end of the season with Embiid as healthy and rested as possible. A nice 10 day break for him makes sense to me.

 

[jjvors]

Okay, I've read through the thread and I'm more positive about this game than I was. I'm nervous about us playing on the road, but we have the horses to beat them, whether Embiid plays or not. I'll give us a 50-50 chance if Embiid plays and a 55% chance if he doesn't.

If Mitchell has another 40-point game, or if Allen and Mobley each score 20, we'll win.

I'm assuming we play good defense, regardless.

116-110, Cleveland.

 

[CavzAddict]

Can't wait for this game. And i want Embiid in it. I want to see how far we've came as far as progression. The only one who puts fear in my heart is that damn Maxey. He didn't play in our last game against them, and he always cooks Garland.

 

[Pierre Pan]

Cedi Osman is now listed as QUESTIONABLE per the NBA Official Report with neck spasms