Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Place: Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
TV/Radio: WUAB Ch. 43/WTAM 1100

Projected Cavaliers Starting Lineup:

PG: LeBron James
SG: Kedrick Brown
SF: Eric Williams
PF: Carlos Boozer
C:  Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Cavaliers Injury Report: SG DaJuan Wagner (knee surgery) and C DeSagana Diop (knee surgery) are on the injured list.  SF Ira Newble (illness) is a game time decision.

Projected 76ers Starting Lineup:

PG: Eric Snow
SG: Aaron McKie
SF: Glenn Robinson
PF: Kenny Thomas
C:  Derrick Coleman

76ers Injury Report: SG Willie Green (thumb surgery), SF Monty Williams (knee pain) and C Todd MacCulloch (foot neuropathy) are on the injured list.  SG Allen Iverson (knee contusion) and PF Marc Jackson (ring finger fracture) are out.  SF Glenn Robinson (ankle sprain) and C Derrick Coleman (knee sprain) are likely to play.

Key Matchups:

Glenn Robinson vs. Eric Williams - Glenn Robinson is basketball's answer to baseball's professional hitter.  Robinson is a professional scorer who will by hook or crook get his 20 points a game.  He has been hampered by injuries this year and has come back just in time to help buoy the Sixers with Allen Iverson actually being hurt enough not to play.  Robinson is one probably the best midrange shooter in the NBA and is capable of hitting tough shots with defenders draped all over him.  Robinson isn't likely to beat a defender off the dribble and get to the rim but he knows how to use screens and create enough daylight to get his shot off.  He isn't a great ballhandler or athlete but finds a way to get it done.  Defensively, Williams (if Newble cannot go) must get through screens on Robinson and get up on him to challenge his shot or make him put the ball on the floor.  Robinson can be prone to turnovers if he can be made into a driver.  Defending savvy scorers who know how to play is one of the reasons Williams was brought to Cleveland so he must show out.  Offensively, Williams can attack Robinson in the post since he is not known to be a good defensive player whose ankle problems are still lingering.  Getting some early fouls on Robinson could deal a big blow to a Sixers team missing a monumental chunk of their offense without Iverson and wasn't a deep team before the injuries.

Kedrick Brown vs. Aaron McKie - With J.R. Bremer's inability to throw it in Lake Erie from the deck of the Goodtime II Kedrick Brown is likely to get the start against Philadelphia.  Coach Silas was impressed by Brown's defensive ability and will still be tested regardless of not having to face Iverson.  Iverson's replacement is long time Cavaliers killer Aaron McKie.  McKie does a little bit of everything for the Sixers often playing three positions.  As a starter McKie's numbers have gone up across the board and is shooting over 50% from three point range and scoring over 20 points in three of the four recent games without Iverson.  To compliment his outside game McKie will put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket as well as post up.  Defensively, Brown must be wary of not losing McKie on the perimeter by shading in to help too much since he has become too dangerous of a three point shooter this year.  Brown has the physical tools and seemingly the want to stay in front of McKie and hound him on the outside.  Without Iverson, Philadelphia will run McKie through more screens and Brown has to keep up.  Offensively, Brown just has to stay within himself and not try and do too much.  McKie is an excellent defensive player and will pick a careless ballhandler.  Brown earned Silas praise for his defense and surprising ability to hit outside shots.  The way teams are defending the Cavaliers Brown will get opportunities and he must make shots.  Getting out on the break and finishing with his athleticism could go a long way to jump-start Brown's confidence.

When Cleveland has the ball: Without the benefit of a practice the Cavaliers, who are usually turnover prone, did an excellent job of taking care of the ball against a good defensive team in Houston but Philadelphia has much more of a pressure and ballhawking defensive team.  Outside of James Cleveland does not have any other good ballhandlers in the starting lineup so handling the ball pressure of McKie and Snow without turning the ball over is a key.  The Sixers have a smaller margin for error without Iverson and one way to make that up is defensively.  Cleveland can exploit the Sixers lack of size and shotblocking by going inside to Ilgauskas and Williams and force some double teams.  Don't be surprised if the Cavaliers go back to spreading out the floor with their V-set to open up driving lanes for James and exploit Philadelphia's size.  Brown, Battie, Boozer and Williams must hit some outside shots to loosen up the Sixers defense if they pack it in.  SF Jason Kapono may see some action with the thin Sixers bench that lacks some scoring punch.  It will also be important for the Cavaliers to reestablish their control of the boards.  They have been outrebounded in each of the last two games.

When Philadelphia has the ball: Not having Allen Iverson takes a lot away from what the Sixers are able to do offensively.  Therefore, Philadelphia must rely more on ball movement and execution in order to have some success.  McKie has picked up some slack and Robinson is expected to as well as he recovers from his ankle sprain.  The very active Kenny Thomas can give them an inside scorer and his ability to go inside-outside can be a difficult matchup.  Derrick Coleman is another inside-outside player that has been bothered by a bad knee.  When healthy he can take bigger centers away from the basket and face them up in the post.  Coleman is aging and isn't as effective around the basket as he used to but he knows how to play finds a way to be effective.  Rookie SF Kyle Korver has been a lift off the bench in recent games with his ability to flat out shoot the ball with range.

Game outlook: The Sixers are 3-1 without Iverson laregly due to the experience and defensive effort of their veterans.  Snow, McKie, Coleman, and Robinson have all been around a long time, have playoff experience and know how to play.  If the Cavaliers play their game and defend the way Paul Silas expects with the new additions Cleveland has a great shot of ending their long road losing streak.  The team gets off to the best start and is able to set a tone may be the winner of the game.