What To Expect In Cavaliers-76ers NBA In-Season Tournament Matchup

Cleveland seeks its fourth consecutive overall victory and second consecutive NBA In-Season Tournament victory with a win over Philadelphia tonight.

Tonight, the Cleveland Cavaliers seek their fourth consecutive victory as they face the Philadelphia 76ers.

This will be Cleveland’s third NBA In-Season Tournament game of the season.

The Cavaliers sit in third place in East Group A with a 1-1 record, while Philadelphia is in second place with a 2-1 record.

Here are four things to expect in tonight’s contest.

1. Multiple Cavs Out of Commission

On yesterday’s 5:30 PM ET injury report, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, and Ty Jerome were all listed as “out” for tonight’s game.

Now, another Cavalier has joined them.

Caris LeVert, who was previously listed as “questionable” yesterday, is now reportedly “out” for tonight’s game, per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.

2. Garland the General

Darius Garland has recently found his scoring stride for Cleveland.

The Cavaliers’ starting point guard has led all players in scoring in each of the last two games.

Garland scored 26 points in Cleveland’s victory over the Denver Nuggets this past Sunday, and put up a season-high 28 points in Cleveland In-Season Tournament win over the Detroit Pistons this past Friday.

3. An MVP Masterpiece

Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid is having another very successful season so far.

The 29-year-old is leading the NBA in scoring (31.9 PPG) and usage percentage (36.2%), while also ranking top-20 in rebounds (11.2, sixth), assists (6.2, 17th), and blocks (1.5, 19th) per game.

Feb 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball past Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center / © Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

4. A Strong Sixers Offense

The 76ers have had one of the most effective offenses in the NBA so far this season.

As a team, Philadelphia ranks top-10 in the league in: points per game (120.5, fourth), field-goal percentage (48.3%, seventh), three-point percentage (37.8%, sixth), free-throw percentage (86.7%, first), and offensive rebounds per game (11.4, 10th).