The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to the best start in franchise history and the best start for any NBA team in nearly a decade.
Even more, the 12-0 Cavaliers catch a break Wednesday night when they visit the scuffling Philadelphia 76ers.
Not only did Cleveland rest on Tuesday while Philadelphia lost to the New York Knicks 111-99, but the Sixers will be missing three All-Stars on Wednesday.
The Sixers were already without Tyrese Maxey (hamstring) and ruled out Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (knee) on Wednesday afternoon for injury maintenance.
Embiid made his season debut Tuesday in the loss to New York, while George has played in the last five games after missing the first five. Making good on his preseason statement he would be “done” with back-to-backs, Embiid is sitting with George right next to him as Philadelphia takes on the soaring Cavaliers.
“We’re doing it in various ways,” said star guard Donovan Mitchell, who leads Cleveland in scoring with an average of 23.7 points a game. “We’re doing it in a way where we are blowing out teams. We’re winning from behind. We’re winning close games. And it’s somebody different every night.”
Mitchell was the primary star for the Cavaliers in Monday’s 119-113 road win over the Chicago Bulls. He scored 36 points and shot 7 of 16 from 3-point range, and five teammates scored in double figures.
The Cavaliers are the eighth team in NBA history to start the season 12-0 or better. The last team to go undefeated in its first dozen games was the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who went 24-0 en route to a league-record 73-win campaign.
“Great stat. I didn’t know that,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said about his team. “We’re going to celebrate that. Being in the league 17 years, you have good starts and you have bad starts. But to have a great start like this is unique and something to celebrate.”
The Sixers are trying to find reasons to celebrate this season. At 2-8, there was no instant impact felt with Embiid on the floor Tuesday. He shot just 2 of 11 from the field for 13 points and grabbed only three rebounds in 26 minutes.
“A little rusty. A little bit of conditioning (concerns) showed up fairly early,” said Sixers coach Nick Nurse, noting that those issues were anticipated.
Embiid said Tuesday night that he wanted to suit up again against the Cavs.
“I feel good right now, but I’ll see. It’s up to them,” Embiid said.
Rookie guard Jared McCain had a productive night playing alongside Embiid on Tuesday, when he registered 23 points for his second straight effort of at least 20 points.
“It’s pretty easy playing with him,” McCain said, while George noted that “you just see how much (Embiid) demands eyes and attention on him” after the perennial All-Stars played their first game together.
Mitchell said the Cavaliers will be ready for Philadelphia, no matter what the opponent’s lineup looks like.
“We’re going to get teams’ best shots,” Mitchell said. “We’re going to get tested early. I have no doubt we will.”
