National Basketball Association

5 Things To Look For Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:23 p.m. ET

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The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Cleveland to face the defending NBA Champion Cavaliers. But like many preseason games, what should you be looking for? We give you five keys to watch this evening

The 1-1 Philadelphia 76ers travel to Cleveland to confront the defending NBA Champion Cavaliers. While your mind spins around the chance at a victory for the Philadelphia Eagles tomorrow, there is an excellent basketball game to fill your senses and hopes.

The team is coming off a grueling marathon loss to the Washington Wizards at home Thursday night. In fact, the game was so demanding that Philadelphia 76ers’ head coach Brett Brown gave the team Friday October 7th, off.  Will it help the 76ers recover in time to meet the Cavaliers?

The Philadelphia 76ers are are team trying to build positive momentum, and so far they are doing just that. Despite a 1-1 record, the team has been stronger defensively than last year, has reason to be optimistic over rookies Joel Embiid and Dario Saric this season, and have yet to see the impact of key players so far this year from Jahlil Okafor, Jerryd Bayless or Ben Simmons.

So, just prop your feet up and let us point out five key points to observe in this third preseason game:

Our first stop is to check in with head coach Brett Brown at the morning shoot around of October 8, 2016

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

KEY ONE: Watch Dario Saric’s offense

After this morning’s shoot-around, head coach Brett Brown paused to answer some questions from the media.

The first topic touched by Brown in the interview covered the surprising offense of Dario Saric:

How solid will it be tonight?

Well, Dario Saric is already excited to face off against Lebron James

Only this time he won’t play against him on Playstation:

Next: Who Is Healthy?

Oct 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Richaun Holmes (22) reacts to a score against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards 125-119. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

KEY TWO: Observe Who Is Healthy?

Similar to the 2015-2016 season, the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be struggling maintaining healthy bodies to play in these early contests.  With Simmons out for three months, Jerryd Bayless, Brandon Paul and Anthony Barber out as well, the team continues to test T.J.McConnell and Sergio Rodriguez as the only two healthy point guards.

But what of the other players?

While Okafor and Noel remain on the bench, the center duties will fall to 12 minutes of Joel Embiid, and the remainder of the game will fall on the surprisingly capable shoulders of Richaun Holmes. While much of the rhetoric about roster battles and logjams have been the narrative, there has been little evidence of any competition so far.

There is an intensity in Richaun Holmes right now, an intensity that resonates with the Philadelphia fans.  If he remains on his current track and remains healthy, he could be a surprise center of this team heading into the season

Oct 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) shoots against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

KEY THREE: Robert Covington Rolls

We keep looking for Robert Covington to explode offensively for the Philadelphia 76ers, and so far it hasn’t happened. In his first preseason game, Covington needed 23 minutes to score seven points and pull in seven rebounds and record two steals. In the second game, he played 24 minutes to score nine points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.

But third time is a charm, and the Philadelphia 76ers cannot hope that Covington will suddenly remember how to score 20 or more points when the season rolls around.

But Covington’s teammates cannot wait for his offensive arrival.  So far, the team  had been led offensively by Brandon Paul in game one with 15 points, and by Richaun Holmes in game two with 20 points.

It is only fitting that Robert Covington should lead the 76ers scoring tonight with 25 points. You see, Covington began the 2015-2016 season injured, and he struggled with inconsistent performance well through the early half of the season.  This year, some of his teammates have been injured or are still on the mend, and it’s a perfect opportunity for Covington to step up and help propel the team into the start of this new year.

Oct 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) shoots the ball between Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) and forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

KEY FOUR: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot Foul Trouble

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is fearless.  When he is on the basketball court, he seems to fear nothing. Not even the whistle of the referee.

So far in two preseason games, “TLC” is leading the team.

In personal fouls.

He is averaging 4.5 points, 2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 5 personal fouls per game.  He’s been noticed by the coaches so far. At times, he does things very well. At other times? Not so much.

In Brett-Brown-speak, he’s appreciative of his rookie’s court audacity, but disappointed in the lack of discipline. For TLC to avoid some time in the NBA Development League this season, he’ll need to play with far more adherence to the rules.

Oct 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts to an officials call during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards 125-119. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

KEY FIVE: Embiidiment of Team

Head Coach Brett Brown is very cautious not to add pressure to his rookies, particularly when they have not yet arrived to their peak performance. But whenever it comes to rookie Joel Embiid, he does not hesitate to ramp up the bar. He’s already stated that Embiid is the crowning jewel of the team’s defense. Now he doubles down by declaring Embiid the focus of the team’s offense, and this is just game three of preseason with Embiid remaining on 12 minutes of playing time restriction:

Brown is not irresponsible.  Joel Embiid is coal.  The more pressure applied, the faster the transformation into a diamond – the hardest and most valuable gem on the planet.

As such, the twelve minutes is just enough to whet our appetite, but not satisfy the need to see him take over an NBA game.

But tonight could be such a night.

The Cavaliers are an excellent team, but they are not as settled at the post as the Washington Wizards. Coming out of a strong physical match-up, Embiid could settle in offensively tonight, and in 12 minutes could finally land in double digits on the scoreboard.  At least, that’s what Brown is counting on.

At Cleveland Ohio, 7:30 PM ET

Where can you catch the game?

Follow Along:

TV – NBA TV

Radio – 97.5 FM The Fanatic (joined in progress)

Video Stream -N / A

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