Cleveland Cavaliers Set To Take On Philadelphia 76ers

The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Philadelphia 76ers in what makes for a historic night.

With his first points in tonight’s contest, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James will pass Hakeem Olajuwon for tenth all-time on the league’s scoring. It just so happens that Olajuwon, the Hall of Fame center that starred for Houston Rockets in the 1990s, is who Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid idolizes.

This game will be the biggest regular season match Embiid has had thus far in his young career. Embiid, who shows some of Olujawon’s moves with a dream shake to create space for nice shots from the outside, is also shows potential as a scorer in the post and in from three-point territory.

He’s already a force defensively. To put it simply he’s a transcendental talent.

This season he’s currently averaging 17.3 points and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 40.0

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percent from three.

With Jahlil Okafor on a minutes restriction, it will be Embiid, the recently acquired Ersan Ilyasova, Dario Saric and point guard Sergio Rodriguez leading the way for the Cavs. Which doesn’t mean much.

The Cavs have the ability to match up with every player the 76ers have physically, outside of Embiid and Okafor. While the 76ers should be able to exploit this in the pick-and-rolls, their only real facilitator is Rodriguez.

Rodriguez will have success in the pick-and-roll with Embiid, Okafor and Saric if the trio can be efficient.

While 76ers will try to attack the paint of the Cavs their lack of conditioning and the health of their top two players will disallow the team from competing with the Cavs up-and-down attack.

The Cavs will be able to penetrate into the lane but will have to rely on free throws, kick outs to shooters and midrange shots because of the 76ers size down low. That may not result in the most efficient night from James, however, he should get to the line plenty.

Kyrie Irving has done well from both the midrange and outside this season. Kevin Love has had success from the outside and been at the free throw line more than Peyton Manning has been in Papa John’s commercials.

The specialists (J.R. Smith, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Channing Frye) as always, have the best quarterback in the NBA in James. Whether James can get them open for shots or if he’ll take more shots from inside and pull-ups from three as a result of the 76ers ability to contest three-point shots remains to be seen. However, he’ll try.

This game will really be about The Proces, The Chosen One, The Ankletaker and The Love Doctor. Expect The Big Three to overwhelm The Big One.

What do you think Joel Embiid’s career will be like? Do you think the Philadelphia 7ers are building a roster that can compete in the future?