Live Thread: Cavs @ Sixers (#BlackFriday)

For the first Black Friday in a while, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves as sellers rather than buyers. Of course, it’s still early days, but this is typically the time of year that teams have at least an inkling of how their season will play out. The Cavs, maybe against their front office wishes… or maybe not, it appears will retain their first round pick next summer, as they seem to be a long shot to notch double digit victories this side of the trade deadline.

As they look to clean house (and their cap) of some of their veteran contracts, they visit one buyer in particular who might be interested in what they’re selling. The Cavs visit the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia tonight to take on the 76ers, a team still in need of some outside shooting. Cleveland might have the perfect fit for the Sixers in experienced gunner, Kyle Korver, or maybe a reliable backup PG in George Hill. Not even the deepest Black Friday discount though would likely be enough for the Cavs to move the disgruntled JR Smith, so he’ll continue to be a DNP (NWT) — not with team.

Even though the Cavs acquitted themselves well against their former leader and his new team on Wednesday night with a narrow 109-105 loss to LBJ and the Lakers, Philly poses a much tougher challenge. Cleveland stayed in the last game via a season low three turnovers, while forcing 15 by L.A. The Sixers won’t be nearly as easy to maintain that ratio against, particularly as their defense is a bit stingier than the Lake show. Success on the road, which has been non-existent this season, will largely rest on the rebounding of Tristan Thompson, the shooting of Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, the all around play of Cedi Osman and level of defensive intensity the team can bring against a formidable Philly squad.

Prediction: Philadelphia runs up a large bill while cleaning out the Cavs on a Black Friday liquidation… 127-109.

Catch all of the action starting at 7:30pm EST on Fox Sports Ohio, and as always… chime in here.