Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV: ESPN
This is the Cavaliers’ season opener and the 76ers’ home debut after a 106-100 road win over the defending champion New York Knicks on opening night. Philadelphia is a slight home favorite in a high-profile Eastern Conference matchup featuring star power on both sides, including LeBron James facing his former team.
Current Rosters
Cleveland Cavaliers (core/projected rotation): Donovan Mitchell (SG), James Harden (PG), Evan Mobley (PF/C), Jarrett Allen (C, questionable), Peyton Watson (SF), Sam Merrill (SG), Mario Hezonja (PF), Jaylon Tyson (SG/SF), Thomas Bryant (C), Craig Porter Jr. (PG), Tyrese Proctor (PG), Meleek Thomas (SG), plus two-ways. Coach: Kenny Atkinson.
Philadelphia 76ers (core/projected rotation from opener): Tyrese Maxey (PG), VJ Edgecombe (SG), Jaylen Brown (G/F), LeBron James (F), Joel Embiid (C), Anfernee Simons (G), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G), Adem Bona (F/C), Jabari Walker (F), Justin Edwards (F), Dean Wade (F, questionable), plus others. Coach: Nick Nurse. Starting five in the opener: Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown, James, Embiid.
Injury Report
Cavaliers:
Jarrett Allen (C) — Questionable (right patellar tendinopathy / jumper’s knee).
Nae’Qwan Tomlin (F) — Out (lower back stress reaction; multi-week absence).
Khalifa Diop (C) — Out (left knee management).
Sam Merrill is expected available.
76ers:
Dean Wade (F) — Questionable (left ankle sprain; possible debut vs. former team).
Dominick Barlow (F) — Out (back).
Tacko Fall (C) — Out (quad/hip).
Ariel Hukporti (C) — Out for season (Achilles).
Frontcourt depth is thinned on both sides if Allen and Wade sit.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Donovan Mitchell vs. Tyrese Maxey / VJ Edgecombe: Elite scoring guards. Mitchell (high-20s PPG last season) against Maxey’s speed and Edgecombe’s length/athleticism.
James Harden vs. Maxey / Edgecombe / Simons: Playmaking and isolation creation; Harden’s vision vs. Philly’s perimeter pressure.
Evan Mobley / Jarrett Allen vs. Joel Embiid: Interior battle. Embiid’s scoring/rebounding/passing against Mobley’s two-way versatility and Allen’s rim protection (if available).
LeBron James vs. Peyton Watson / Mobley / Hezonja: James (in his 24th season) in his Philly home debut against Cleveland’s wings and frontcourt. James had 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in the opener.
Jaylen Brown vs. Mitchell / Watson / Tyson: Brown’s two-way impact and scoring (19 points in opener) against Cleveland’s perimeter defenders.
Secondary action includes Simons and Caldwell-Pope providing bench shooting/spacing for Philly, while Merrill and Watson stretch the floor for Cleveland.
Recent Team Forms
76ers (1-0): Opened with a comeback 106-100 win at the Knicks. Maxey scored 28, Brown had 19/8/6, James 14/9/6, Embiid 13/11 with defensive contributions. Bench (Simons, Caldwell-Pope) hit timely threes. Last season: 45-37.
Cavaliers (0-0): Preseason was mixed (losses to Orlando and Boston, win over Orlando). Last season: 52-30, swept the 76ers 4-0, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals (swept by Knicks). Strong offensive efficiency (119.5 PPG, solid shooting percentages).
Series History
Cleveland swept the four-game series in 2025-26 (132-121, 133-107, 117-115, 115-101) and is 7-1 in the last eight meetings dating to March 2024. All-time regular-season series is competitive (76ers hold a slight edge historically). Biggest recent margin was Cleveland’s 26-point win in January 2026.
Betting Trends
Cleveland dominated last season’s matchups and covered in most. 76ers enter with home-court and early momentum plus star reinforcements (James + Brown). High total reflects pace and firepower; early-season totals can be volatile with rust or foul trouble. Public money has leaned toward the home favorite in limited early data.
Game Odds
Cleveland Cavaliers 237
Philadelphia Sixers` – 3
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, October 21, 2026
