Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024

Preview and Prediction

Following another impressive win, the Cleveland Cavaliers will aim to avoid any potential setbacks as they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

Cleveland now boasts the best record in the league at 24-4 after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 124-101 on Friday. The Bucks, who had just won the NBA Cup on Tuesday, trailed by as much as 36 points in their first game back.

Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavaliers with 27 points, while Darius Garland added 16. The team made a total of 20 3-pointers and secured their 15th home win out of 16 games this season.

"This is the type of team we want to be," said Mitchell. "We understand that, yes, the Bucks are the reigning champions, but for us to come in and set the tone, it doesn't matter if we're up by 30 or down by 30. That's the mentality we want to have. We're constantly building good habits and we have to do it together as a team."

While Cleveland started the season with an impressive 15-game winning streak, Philadelphia has been slowly climbing back up the standings after a rough start of 3-14.

The Sixers have won four out of their last five games, including a 108-98 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. Joel Embiid returned to the lineup after missing one game due to a sinus fracture and put up 34 points and nine assists.

Tyrese Maxey also had a strong performance with 23 points, while Kelly Oubre Jr. added 22 points and was 4 of 6 from beyond the arc.

"(Oubre) looks like he's ready to shoot as soon as the ball touches his hands at the 3-point line," said Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse. "He's already in motion and that's what we want to see."

Nurse also mentioned that Embiid may be rested for Saturday's game against Cleveland, but forward Paul George is expected to play in his first back-to-back game of the season.

George has been limited due to a bone bruise in his left knee, but he played 39 minutes in Friday's win and is feeling encouraged.

"I want to keep fighting," said George, who also had 10 rebounds, eight assists, and five points. "My body is allowing me to, so I want to keep the momentum going with this team. We've been playing well and I feel good, so I'm going to keep playing."

The Sixers will be seeking revenge after their 114-106 loss to Cleveland on Nov. 13 in Philadelphia. However, they will be without rookie guard Jared McCain, who scored a career-high 34 points in the previous matchup but is now sidelined indefinitely with a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee.

Cleveland's Max Strus missed the first game against Philadelphia due to an ankle injury, but he made a successful return to the lineup in his season debut against Milwaukee on Friday.

Strus averaged 12.2 points and shot 35.1 percent from beyond the arc last season. In Friday's win, he scored nine points on three 3-pointers in just 19 minutes off the bench.

"He's the same Max we all know," said Mitchell. "He brings something that we've been missing, and I think it's special to say that while having the best record in the league. He's been working hard to get back and we're happy to have him on the team again."

Cleveland also received a boost from guard Dean Wade, who started in place of injured forward Isaac Okoro (sprained shoulder) and scored 15 points, including four 3-pointers.

PREDICTION

Philadelphia 76ers

106

116

Cleveland Cavaliers