Sixers vs. Cavaliers NBA Cup rematch, Digi Mart USA News: The Sixers and Cavaliers have already played one game that looked like two. Cleveland led by 29 points during the Sixers’ home opener on Oct. 22 and carried a 69-45 advantage into halftime.
Philadelphia responded by winning the second half, 69-37, and completing a 114-106 comeback. It was the Sixers’ largest comeback since the NBA began maintaining detailed play-by-play data in 1997-98, and only nine other teams during that span had overcome a deficit of at least 29 points.
Fifteen days later, the teams will meet again Friday night at Rocket Arena. This time, the matchup counts toward the NBA Cup standings.
The 8-1 Sixers have won five consecutive games and opened group play with a 98-93 victory over the Knicks. The 4-4 Cavs have dropped two straight and will make their Cup debut.
Philadelphia’s comeback required more than a hot shooting stretch. The Sixers committed 15 turnovers in the first half, allowing Cleveland to build a 22-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
Their pressure then changed the game after halftime, and the Cavs committed 21 turnovers by the end of the night.
“They upped their pressure and physicality,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said after the game. “It was pretty clear.
We did not handle it well.”
The Sixers scored 64 of their 69 second-half points through their starting lineup. Tyrese Maxey finished with 28 points.
The Sixers have committed 12.9 turnovers per 100 possessions this season, the NBA’s second-lowest rate, and they are third in turnover differential, averaging 3.4 fewer giveaways than their opponents.
Philadelphia’s defense has also been strong. The Sixers have allowed 105.1 points per 100 possessions, the NBA’s second-best defensive rating, and have held opponents to a 50 percent effective field-goal percentage and 31.8 percent shooting from three-point range.
Cleveland enters with the league’s ninth-ranked offense and is the only top-10 offense the Sixers have faced through their first nine games.
Cleveland’s shooting will be a key factor. The Cavs have attempted exactly 42 three-pointers per game and made 37.2 percent of them.
In the first meeting, however, they went 7 for 29 from beyond the arc, and Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and De’Andre Hunter combined to shoot 3 for 17.
Rebounding and injuries could also affect the matchup. Philadelphia has been outrebounded by 5.1 per game, while Cleveland ranks sixth with 47.5 rebounds per contest.
Jarrett Allen is listed as questionable with a right knee injury after leaving Wednesday’s loss to Oklahoma City in the first quarter. The Cavs also list Peyton Watson as questionable with right hamstring soreness and Tyrese Proctor as questionable with an ankle injury, while Jaylon Tyson is out with a right ankle sprain.
The NBA Cup adds weight to the result. Point differential is the second tiebreaker after head-to-head results.
Philadelphia enters Friday at 1-0 with a plus-five differential in East Group B, Miami is also 1-0 at plus-20, and Cleveland is playing its first group game.
