The Cleveland Cavaliers are heading into the second leg of their two-game mini-series against the Philadelphia 76ers facing a much different challenge than they did earlier this week. After dismantling the Sixers in a dominant win on Wednesday, Cleveland now finds itself without two key contributors-All-Star point guard Darius Garland and sharpshooter Sam Merrill-for the rematch.
And that changes everything.
Garland is more than just a floor general-he’s the pulse of the Cavs’ offense. His absence means Cleveland will need to get creative with how it initiates sets and generates scoring opportunities.
Merrill, meanwhile, has quietly become a vital piece with his off-ball movement and ability to stretch the floor. Losing both players forces head coach Kenny Atkinson to dig deeper into his rotation and lean on some of the younger, less experienced guards.
That starts with Craig Porter Jr. and Tyrese Proctor, two players who now find themselves in the spotlight. These are the kind of reps that matter-not just for development, but for building trust in tight situations. Friday night in Philly is going to be a test of adaptability.
In the previous game, we saw Atkinson expand his rotation slightly, going 10-deep instead of the nine-man unit he’d leaned on for several games. Lonzo Ball got back on the floor after a week off, and his presence-however limited-could be important as the Cavs look for steady hands in the backcourt.
With Garland sidelined, expect a heavier dose of high pick-and-roll action, especially involving the bigs. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were outstanding to open the last game, finding seams in the defense, executing give-and-go plays, and making sharp reads in the short roll. Their chemistry was on full display, and Cleveland will need more of that interior synergy to keep the offense flowing.
Mobley and Allen aren’t just rim protectors or lob threats-they’re facilitators when the ball moves through them. That’s going to be crucial in this rematch, especially against a Sixers squad that will be motivated to respond after getting run off the floor earlier in the week.
The good news for Cleveland? After this one, they finally get a breather. The Cavs will return home and enjoy back-to-back off days for the first time in three weeks-a much-needed window to regroup, recover, and recalibrate.
But the rest won’t last long. Waiting for them on Monday is a marquee matchup against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a special Martin Luther King Jr.
Day matinee at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. That one promises to be a measuring stick game for the Cavs-a chance to see how they stack up against one of the league’s elite.
First, though, they’ll need to grind through a tough road test in Philly without two of their key weapons. It’s a gut-check moment for Cleveland, and we’re about to find out just how deep this team’s resilience runs.