The Philadelphia 76ers hope to prevail over the Cleveland Cavaliers
The 76ers (1-4) aim to erase nearly five years of grief when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers (1-3) at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center this coming Friday, 5 November. That’s how long it’s been since the 76ers have been able to defeat the Cavs on their
home court.
Fresh off their first victory this season, a 101-75 drubbing of the Indiana Pacers, the 76ers hope that a strong showing in Friday’s matchup will end their home losing streak against Cleveland, which stands at seven games.
If Philadelphia is going to have any shot at walking victoriously off of their home court, they’re going to have to buck their recent trend. In three of their first four games this season (all of which were losses), the 76ers were careless with the ball, accumulating
at least 19 turnovers in each contest. However, in their only triumph over the Pacers on Wednesday, Philly went 53.7 per cent from the field, while committing just 10 turnovers.
According to STATS LLC, 76ers coach Doug Collins, who is in his first year with the team, left the game at the half after battling with dizziness. “Ten years ago I may have just went out in the second half, but I have recognized with this coaching staff there
is no need to do that,” Collins said of his decision to remain in the locker room at the start of the second half. The coach, who was diagnosed with vertigo this past summer, is expected to be back on the bench for Friday’s game.
One of the major factors in the 76ers success Wednesday came from the contribution of a seemingly rejuvenated Elton Brand. The power forward, one of the team’s key leaders, tallied 25 points and 12 boards (both seasons highs) in Philly’s only win. Last season,
the former Duke Blue Devil averaged just 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, both of which were career lows for the usually stellar standout. Thus far this season, however, Brand has been a force to be reckoned with, averaging 18.0 points and 9.6 rebounds
per contest to go along with 2.6 steals.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is trying to put a halt to their recent stumble. After winning their first game of the season against the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, the Cavs have lost three straight, the most recent a 100-88 defeat suffered
on Tuesday at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks.
Cavs point guard Mo Williams, who sat out the first three games of the year with a groin injury, is happy to be back in the line-up, but knows that things aren’t going to get any easier for his team. “We haven’t been fully healthy, and with this team, we need
everyone,” Williams told STATS LLC. “We just have to regroup.”
That’s an understatement, considering what Cleveland lost in the off-season. Dominant small forward LeBron James left the team as a free agent over the summer, opting to sign with the Miami Heat. And even though Jamario Moon has filled his slot, he is averaging
just 6.3 points per contest, a far cry from the 29.7 the Cavs received nightly from James last season.
All things considered, it seems as though the Cavaliers have a lot of ground to make up if they want to keep their streak in Philadelphia alive.
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