Cleveland, OH
Sixers head to Cleveland to take on first place Cavaliers
Dec 20, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) controls the ball against the Charlotte Hornets in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia 76ers, fresh off their Friday night victory over the Charlotte Hornets, 108-98, travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on Saturday night. As expected, the team will be without Joel Embiid, as the plan was for him not to play back-to-back games and even more with the broken sinus he sustained last week. The Cavaliers have been leading the NBA since the start of the season and have shown no signs of slowing down.
Sixers game information
Who: Philadelphia 76ers (9-16) at Cleveland Cavaliers (24-4)
When: 8 p.m. EST
Where: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland OH
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA League Pass, Ball Sports Ohio
Latest on the Sixers
When Embiid left the team’s game against the Pacers last Friday with what would later be revealed as a sinus fracture, the team and its fans thought for sure they wouldn’t see the Sixers big man back any time soon. Yet, Friday night, Embiid was out on the floor leading his team.
Without Embiid against the Cavaliers, the team will need Paul George to step up as he did on Monday nights game against the Hornets where he and Tyrese Maxey combined for 73 points. Friday, George finished with just five points on 2-12 shooting, including 1-7 on his three-point attempts. Against a team like the Hornets, with Embiid playing, you might get away with a game like that but against the Cavaliers, that will not work at all.

The Sixers are without Embiid as well as star rookie Jared McCain, so they’re going to need Maxey, George and Kelly Oubre Jr. to play some of the best basketball of the season, if they’re going to have a chance to win the game. While their defense has been improving the team must shoot better than the 36% they did on three-pointers against the Hornets.
Latest on the Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have been rolling and are 7-1 since dropping straight games to the Atlanta Hawks at the end of November. The team’s only loss was to the Miami Heat on December 8th, and that game was closer than it looked. The team matched up evenly throughout the whole game, with the lone exception being the Heat, which took eight more foul shots.
The Cavs jumped out of the gate this season, and they haven’t looked back since. They feature a balanced attack with six players averaging double figures in season scoring. They’re led by Donovan Mitchell, who’s scoring 23.5 points per game, but he’s doing that while shooting a career-best 40.5% on his three-point attempts. While he’s their biggest name, the team isn’t a one-man show.
Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are also putting in 30 minutes per game, with Garland giving the team 20.1 points and Mobley 18.2 points per game. They are also shooting career highs from beyond the arc, as Garland is hitting at a 42.6% rate, and Mobley is shooting 39.7% for the year. Add in Jarrett Allen, Caris Levert, and Ty Jerome, and the team has depth, and they’re playing well together.
What to watch for tonight
While the Sixers sit just outside of the top ten in defensive rating, it may not help much tonight as the Cavaliers are seventh in the league in defense. The Cavs offense just happens to be the top offense in the league, while the Sixers rest just a few spots away from the very bottom.
Without Embiid and McCain, the Sixers will be leaning on Maxey and George to try to replicate their games from earlier in the week while asking Kelly Oubre Jr. to, once again, step up as the team has needed him. Andre Drummond and Guergshon Yabusele should see some good minutes against a smaller Cavaliers team, but neither will be able to keep pace with the Cava offense and could look to be in foul trouble early on.
Watch to see if Tyrese Maxey continues to improve his shooting and if Paul George can have a bounce back night after last nights horrible shooting. If you’re lucky you’ll get a few KJ Martin and Ricky Council IV highlights.
Prediction
Cavaliers 115 – Sixers 97
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26
Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.
Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.
The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.
The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
- Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)
Brooklyn Nets
- Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
- Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)
Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.
Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview
Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.
But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.
The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.
Brooklyn Nets Preview
Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.
Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.
The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.
Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).
Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet
Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.
Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -11.5 (-110)
Cleveland, OH
14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot at a home Friday.
Police said around 7:15 p.m., officers from the Fifth District got a call for someone shot in the 1400 block of Lakeview Road.
When officers got on scene, a 14-year-old girl was found suffering from a gunshot wound.
Cleveland EMS took her to a nearby hospital, where she is listed in critical condition
A gun was recovered at the scene.
The incident remains under active investigation.
Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former co-owner of the legendary Cleveland restaurant Sokolowski’s University Inn has died.
65-year-old Michael Sokolowski passed away on Tuesday, according to his obituary.
Established in Tremont in 1923, Sokolowski’s University Inn was Cleveland’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant. It was a recipient of the prestigious James Beard “American Classics” Award in 2014. It closed it doors for good in 2020.
Read Obit below
MICHAEL PAUL SOKOLOWSKI, age 65; passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee McCue); loving father of George McDougall (Erika) and Sara; grandfather of Nicole and Emerson; Son of the late Bernard Sr. and Marion (nee Szwejkowski); dear brother of Bernard Jr. (Mary) and Mary Lou Balbier (Ronald); loving brother-in-law, uncle and dear friend of many. Mike was the co-owner of Sokolowski’s University Inn, a Cleveland landmark restaurant since 1923 and a James Beard Award winner. He played baseball and football for Cleveland Central Catholic and graduated from Otterbein University. Michael was a member of the Greater Cleveland Umpire Association, officiating many Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camps. He loved cooking and taught classes at the Polaris Career Center for their community culinary arts program. Mike loved music, attending many concerts, and playing drums in bands and for his parish church masses. Former President of the Cleveland Society of Poles and a member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Cleveland Central Catholic High School, 6550 Baxter Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105.
Mass of Christian burial at St. John Cantius Catholic Church, 906 College Ave, Cleveland, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends received at the church, Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 noon.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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