By Zac Jackson
FOX Sports Ohio
November 5, 2010
Previewing tonight's Cavaliers-76ers game...
THE SKINNY: Cavaliers (1-3) at 76ers (1-4), Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, 7 p.m. FSO has the broadcast with Fred McLeod and Austin Carr.
THE STARTERS: Mo Williams returns to the starting lineup, joining Anthony Parker in the backcourt. The Cavaliers will also start Jamario Moon and J.J. Hickson at forward and Anderson Varejao at center. Philadelphia will start Elton Brand and Andres Nocioni at forward, Spencer Hawes at center and Jrue Holliday and Andre Iguodala at guard.
The bench for both teams is in the spotlight, too. The Cavaliers are hoping Antawn Jamison's sore knee cooperates and he can play after missing Tuesday night's loss to Atlanta. Jamison isn't thrilled about his sixth-man role but can help the Cavaliers when healthy. Williams' move to the starting lineup means Ramon Sessions comes off the bench; head coach Byron Scott has been pushing Sessions and the whole roster to play better defense and Scott thinks Sessions will continue to play well.
The first two players off the bench for Philly are Lou Williams, who had a 30-point game earlier this week, and Evan Turner, the former Ohio State star and No. 2 overall pick in last summer's draft.
THE SCOOP: Both teams need a win. Badly. The 76ers come in with some momentum after routing the Pacers, 101-75, two nights ago for their first win. Brand's 26 led six Philly players in double figures. The Cavaliers haven't won since opening night but Scott sees progress and is yet to see his team play at full strength. Hickson is playing as well and as confidently as ever and is coming off a career-best 31-point game. His improved perimeter game stretches the defense. If Jamison can play, he and Mo Williams give the Cavaliers even more scoring punch.
A team that needs some confidence enters a weekend with two winnable games and sees better days ahead. The Cavaliers' best preseason game -- and the only one they played at full strength -- came against the 76ers.
"That scares me more than anything," Scott said.
THE SERIES: The Cavaliers have won three straight in the series and six straight in Philadelphia. The teams play again in Cleveland in 11 days.
WHAT'S AHEAD: The Cavaliers play in Washington Saturday night, then have a back-to-back, home-and-home with the Nets starting in New Jersey Tuesday night.
