Live Thread: 76ers @ Cavs

Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are in town tonight to show that they have what it takes to be LeBron James’ teammates next year. Well, it’s actually to get a win and inch closer to the playoffs, but nonetheless, it’s hard not to the thinking something may be up. A few writers, Bill Simmons gets the biggest nod here, have suggested that LeBron should go to Philly next year if he wants to “do something amazing” to perhaps gain G.O.A.T. status and more ringzs

And, a few writers even said he was up in Philly during the All-Star break looking at private high schools. He wasn’t.

LeBron James said he did not go to any high schools in Pennsylvania during the All-Star Break: pic.twitter.com/SczB3KYS3Q

— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) March 1, 2018

So, the media isn’t the most nice group of people when talking about James’ future with the Cavs. We aalready knew that. Even native Philly business owners are getting in on the LBJ to 76ers banter now though too. When will it stop?

A Philadelphia-based company put up three billboards on highway to downtown Cleveland this morning saying that city wanted LeBron. Here they are in order. pic.twitter.com/vntsa8h3mE

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 26, 2018

That’s life as a Cavs fan now though.

The Cavs are without J.R. Smith tonight who was suspended for one game due to “detrimental conduct.” That’s all that’s been reported as of now. Jeff Green will be back though. The 76ers have their usual guys available. Markelle Fultz is still out. Joel Embiid is playing after sitting out the previous game against Cleveland. The Cavs have won both the games with Philly this year.

Things to Watch

1. Tristan Thompson absolutely needs to have a great game tonight. He will have to cover Embiid most of the evening mainly because he’s the only Cavalier beefy enough too. Embiid is listed at 249 pounds and looks to have gotten bigger as the season has gone on. Aside from LeBron, TT is the only Cavs above 230 that’s getting minutes. Larry Nance Jr. tops out at just 210 pounds.
2. The defense needs to continue to improve. A lot of people have said the Cavs have been bad about closing out on shooters. They have. However, they aren’t as bad as they were earlier in the season. In the previous four games, they’ve allowed teams to shoot 39-94 from deep. That’s 43%. That’s bad. Yet, something good is happening. For the season, Cleveland has allowed opponents to attempt 31.9 3s per game. The past three games they’ve allowed just 25 attempts a night. That’s a jump from league worst to 2nd in the league. It’s a small sample, but some things are changing, even if it looks like they aren’t. The Cavs give up good looks, but at least they’re giving up slightly less good looks that teams are canning.
3. If you are alive, you know that LeBron is going to the paint more than he has in the past and getting the second fewest free throws of his career. Tonight is a good chance for him to get to the line a ton. Embiid is a big enough player that when he hacks LeBron on drives, LeBron may look like he’s only half-human half-robot, instead of all robot. All of the Cavs should drive in this game. Philly is a good defensive team, but the Cavs can’t let them off the hook on inside defense in favor of chucking 3s. That’s how leads are lost and winnable games get out of hands. Cleveland made just eight 3s against the Spurs and Grizzlies earlier this week.

I’m picking the Cavs to win. LeBron needs to shut the Philly rumors down and Philly doesn’t have anyone to slow him down. Cavs 123-111.