NBA: Ben Simmons and 76ers vs Cavs, Live updates, text commentary, score and highlights

Brian Seltzer/NBA Australia
and others
• 7 min read
#simmons vs Lebron

It’s the Eastern Conference up-and-comer against the perennial Eastern Conference power.

It’s the Prince versus the King.

It’s the 76ers hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the East’s coveted third-place spot up for grabs.

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When the Sixers and Cavs take the floor Saturday (AEDT) in front of what should be an electric, sold-out crowd at The Center, the two teams will be separated by 0.5 games in the standings.

Their ledgers were even heading into play Friday, as both clubs sported records of 48-30. Cleveland, however, regained sole possession of third by eeking out a narrow 119-115 home win over the Washington Wizards.

Now, it’s up to the Sixers to wrest control away.

All things considered, even with recent injuries to high-profile contributors Joel Embiid (concussion, orbital bone fracture) and Dario Saric (right elbow), you’d be hard-pressed to find a crack in the Sixers’ armour these days. They boast the longest active winning streak in the NBA at 12 consecutive games, a run that’s tied for fourth-longest in franchise history, and one that’s continued on in spite of the absences of Embiid and Saric.

For as much as the Sixers have taken the league by storm during the season’s home stretch, Cleveland, of course, has a proven track record. The Cavaliers have indeed been there and done a whole lot of that.

“We’re playing with a certain rhythm offensively and defensively,” JJ Redick said following Wednesday’s win at Detroit. “I think it goes back to the approach of being pros, understanding what’s at stake in terms of home court advantage.”

That, along with reaching the 50-win mark (something the Sixers have only done twice since 1986), represent the two leading goals Redick and Co. are chasing before the end of the regular season.

Following Saturday's pairing with the Cavs, the Sixers have three games left, against the Dallas Mavericks (24-55), Atlanta Hawks (22-57), and Milwaukee Bucks (42-37). Out of that group, only Milwaukee is going to the playoffs.

Cleveland, meanwhile, will play just two more contests after Saturday's showdown in South Philadelphia, a home-and-home series Tuesday and Thursday versus the lottery-bound, injury-riddled New York Knicks (27-51).

“They’re very good with or without him in the line-up,” James said. “They’ve been playing so much without him, they just keep up the momentum going.”

In particular, James, the four-time MVP, is aware of what Ben Simmons brings to the table.

Simmons, who James has mentored essentially since the 21-year old Australian arrived in America, has been spectacular lately. The Rookie of the Year candidate has averaged 13.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 10.9 assists, and 1.7 steals during the Sixers’ winning streak while racking up 6 double-doubles and 4 triple-doubles.

“It starts with the head of the monster in Ben, who’s going to get everybody involved,” said James. “JJ Redick flying off pindowns. [Robert] Covington and Saric, and [Marco] Belinelli off the bench. They’ve been playing some good ball.”

Follow LIVE:

BALL GAME 76ers 132 Cavs 130




 


 

END of 3Q 76ers 105 Cavs 98

We have a game!


Simmo has another triple-double.


Uh-oh King James time.


The King getting the comeback started.


More BenJammin.


No Rodney Hood for the game.


Stats:


 

Halftime 76ers 78 Cavs 55

Another BenJam!


Ben Jam!


Markelle looking prettyyyy, prettyyyy, pretty good.


End 1Q 76ers 41 Cavs 28

Simmo + Rich Homie = nasty!


Simmons gettin' saucy.


Love from trey!


 

Ring us in Mr. Shyamalan!!


Cavs 5ive:


Simmo with the fire kicks.


JR loves the kids.


Kyle Korver getting shots up:


76ers' Five:


 

Joel Embiid in the building!


Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Date : Saturday 7 April

Time : 9:00am AEDT

Location : Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia

TV : Available on ESPN Australia/New Zealand

TV Streaming : You can live stream the game using  NBA League Pass

Author(s)
Brian Seltzer/NBA Australia