Cavs – Sixers Game Day Notes

Saturday, November 5th, 2016

WHEN: 7:00 PM EST
WHERE: @WellsFargoCtr, Philadelphia, PA
WATCH: @FOXSportsOH
LISTEN: @WMMS 100.7 FM, @wtam1100, y La Mega 87.7FM

– Cavaliers (5-0, 1st in Central): Cleveland’s defending NBA champion Cavaliers are riding a five game winning streak after edging out the Boston Celtics inside Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday night (128-122), led by LeBron James’ season-high 30 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds.

Cleveland led by as many as 20 points in their grind-out win over Boston. The Cavs were certainly feeling good about their three-point shooting capabilities through the first two quarters of play, as they drilled 11 of their 18 first-half attempts.

With a 17-point lead at halftime and a 20-point third quarter from James, it seemed like the Cavs were cruising to their 5th straight win of the season. However, the Celtics hung around down the stretch, just within striking distance.

As the final quarter waned, the Cavs ramped up their offensive intensity. After resting for the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, James reentered the game to rebut Cleveland’s dwindling lead. In the end, Boston wasn’t able to erase their first-half deficit.

In Thursday’s win over the Celtics, Kevin Love turned in a season-high 26 points (12 of 13 from the free-throw line), eight rebounds, and two blocks in 33 minutes of play.

Kyrie Irving notched 23 points, six assists, and four rebounds in his 34 minutes of playing time.

Tristan Thompson turned in a double-double performance, scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, and one steal in 31 minutes.

* MILESTONE ALERT *

– LeBron James is now within two points of Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946) for 10th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

LeBron James 2 points away from passing #NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon for 10th on the NBA's all time scoring list #Cavs #DefendtheLand

— Vic Joseph (@VicJosephWWE) November 4, 2016

A jovial Cavs Head Coach Tyronn Lue spoke to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin with regards to James passing Olajuwon, saying with a smile:

“He’ll get it, hopefully he’ll score two points.”

The Cavs have a 5-0 record for the first time in forty years (1976-77). Can the Cavs keep this train on the tracks? A focused LeBron James spoke with TNT after Thursday night’s win, saying:

“We’re off to a good start, but we have to continue to learn and continue the process.”

* Cavaliers projected starting lineup (subject to change) *

(PG) Kyrie Irving (6′-3″, 193 lbs)
(SG) J.R. Smith (6′-6″, 225 lbs)
(SF) LeBron James (6′-8″, 250 lbs)
(PF) Kevin Love (6′-10″, 251 lbs)
(PF) Tristan Thompson (6′-10″, 238 lbs)

* Cavaliers injury report *

– (None)

– Sixers (0-4, 5th in Atlantic): Tonight, Philadelphia will be seeking their first win of the 2016-17 NBA season. After dropping a tough one to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night (109-93), the Sixers find themselves adrift on the seas of a four-game losing streak.

Philadelphia recently acquired 6″-10″ forward Ersan Ilyasova, along with a first-round pick, from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his debut with the Sixers on Wednesday night, Ilyasova turned in a team-high 14 points , three rebounds, and two assists in just 23 minutes of playing time. Philadelphia Head Coach Brett Brown has suggested that the smooth-shooting big man from Turkey could see his role with the team elevated to starter-status going forward.

Whether it be due to the “injury bug” or attempts at landing a high draft pick, the Sixers have turned in a 47-203 record over their previous three-plus seasons. That’s an obvious disappointment for Philly fans. However, despite their 0-and-4 start to this year’s campaign, Coach Brown has stated that the Sixers are, in fact, not “tanking” this season.

* Sixers projected starting lineup (subject to change) *

(PG) Sergio Rodriguez (6′-3″, 175 lbs)
(SG) Gerald Henderson (6′-5″, 215 lbs)
(SF) Robert Covington (6′-9″, 225 lbs)
(PF) Jahlil Okafor (6′-11″, 265 lbs)
(C) Joel Embiid (7′-0″, 250 lbs)

* Sixers injury report *

– (PG) Jerryd Bayless (wrist): Out
– (PF) Ben Simmons (foot): Out
– (C) Joel Embiid (foot): Probable
– (C) Nerlens Noel (knee): Out

* All stats and information via www.basketball-reference.com, www.rotoworld.com, www.nba.com, www.espn.com, Elias Sports Bureau, and The Associated Press *