The 76ers (37-19) have a shot at their fourth consecutive victory Wednesday in their final game before the All-Star break, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-22) in South Philadelphia.
Wednesday’s matchup comes on the heels of the Sixers’ 123-104 win over the Rockets, and a pair of wins over the Knicks Friday (119-108) and Nets Saturday (101-98).
New 76er Jalen McDaniels (8 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) made his home debut Monday, and discussed his excitement to join this team postgame:
“The energy is just different. Everybody’s positive. We’re looking for the bigger picture, the playoff run, stuff like that. Guys are really locked in, so it’s serious, but we have fun.”
Doc Rivers praised McDaniels following his second outing as a Sixer:
“Today, I think he played the two, the three, the four. That’s one of the reasons we were so attracted to him - that ability to make shots. He loves playing hard, he’s just a hard player, and you can see that.”
Ahead of the All-Star Break, the Sixers hold the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, a game ahead of the No. 4 Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers won the first meeting between the Sixers and Cavs on Nov. 30, 113-85. Following Wednesday’s contest, the third and final regular-season matchup between the teams will come March 15 in Cleveland.
The Sixers also announced the signings of nine-year NBA veteran Dewayne Dedmon and 24-year-old Mac McClung on Tuesday.
Ahead of the break, Joel Embiid is second in the NBA in scoring (33.2 ppg), and is fifth in the league in blocks (1.5 bpg). James Harden leads the league in assists (10.8 apg). De’Anthony Melton is fourth in the NBA in steals per game (1.8 spg).
As a team, the Sixers are second in the NBA in free throw percentage (82.8%) and fourth in the league in 3-point percentage (38.3%).
Wednesday’s matchup is a 7:30 p.m. ET tip.
Monday’s Key Performances:
James Harden
Tyrese Maxey
Joel Embiid
76ers vs. Houston Rockets: Feb. 13, 2023
1 / 7PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 13: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a lay up during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets.
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Quote to Note:
Maxey on playing with McDaniels:
“He’s athletic. He runs the floor, he defends, rebounds, shoots the ball well. It’s great to have a guy like him. He was great tonight, and I think we’re going to really need him moving forward.”
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