The struggling Philadelphia 76ers face another tough test as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
It’s been a brutal stretch for Philly. They’ve lost seven straight games, and things aren’t getting any easier.
The biggest problem? Joel Embiid’s knee. The Sixers’ superstar center has only played in 13 games this season due to persistent swelling, and he’ll be watching from the sidelines again tonight.
Their last game was particularly rough – a 35-point beatdown from the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. It was their third straight loss by double digits.
The Cavaliers come into this one as heavy favorites, with oddsmakers giving them a 10.5-point edge. That might seem like a lot, but these teams are heading in completely different directions right now.
Cleveland’s only hiccup lately was a surprising loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Before that? They’d been rolling, and they’ll be hungry to start a new winning streak.
Here’s what makes the Cavs special this season: they’ve only lost back-to-back games once, and that was during the NBA Cup against Atlanta. When they last met Philly, they dominated with a 126-99 win.
The Sixers’ schedule looks pretty brutal heading into February. After this, they’ve got to face the Bulls, Lakers, and Kings – then welcome the powerhouse Celtics and Nuggets to town.
Both teams are dealing with injuries. The Sixers are missing several key players besides Embiid, including Kyle Lowry (hip), Caleb Martin (hip), and Andre Drummond (toe). Cleveland will be without Evan Mobley (calf) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder), while Caris LeVert is questionable with a wrist issue.
The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT, ESPN, and NBC Sports.
