Live Thread: Cavs @ Sixers

Live Thread: Cavs @ Sixers

2018-04-06 Off By Nate Smith

Cleveland heads to Philly with the No. 3 seed basically on the line. Of course Philly is without Joel Embiid after he broke his orbital bone, but Embiid did just clear the NBA concussion protocol. For the Cavs, they’re thin at the point guard spot, with Hill convalescing due to his ankle sprain, and Calderon out due to hamstring tightness.

My guess? The Cavs run the same starters they did last night, with Cedi starting out on Reddick in the Cavs’ “switch everything” defense (of course, Kyle Korver would look good there too). Hopefully, Kevin Love looks to be aggressive and isn’t as passive as he was in the second half last night and attacks Amir at the line and in the post. The Sixers will run their own unconventional lineup of Simmons, Reddick, Saric, Covington, and Amir Johnson.

Off the bench, Markelle Fultz isn’t looking too shabby with a solid floor game of 13 points, seven dimes, and seven assists per 36 minutes. Of course, he’s shooting just 38% from the field, so limiting him to being a “scorer” is a win. The Philly bench energy will be a factor again tonight, and will hound Jordan Clarkson when LeBron’s off the floor. Bellinelli bring outside shooting off the pine, and Richaun Holmes and McConnell bring energy. Matching that energy and closing out shooters will be key. Not so optimistic about that last part.

Prediction: playoff nerves limit the Sixers’ shooting from the outside, and the Cavs win a squeaker: 115-112.

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