76ers' No. 2 defense faces Cavaliers' ninth-ranked offense

The Philadelphia 76ers (8-1), winners of five straight, visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (4-4) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, a game that turns on the Cavaliers' ninth-ranked offense against the NBA's second-ranked defense.

Cleveland has lost two in a row. Philadelphia allows 103.2 points per 100 possessions, second in the league, and holds opponents to a 50.0 effective field goal percentage, fifth-best.

Cleveland scores 113.9 per 100 possessions and leans on the three, ranking 10th in three-point rate. Its shooters face a defense that keeps opponents' shooting down.

The 76ers rank 20th in offense and 29th in offensive rebounding, so second chances are rare. They protect the ball instead, turning it over on 11% of their possessions, third-lowest, against a Cleveland defense that forces fewer turnovers than all but one team.

Tyrese Maxey leads Philadelphia with 28 points a game on 48.6% shooting. Joel Embiid averages 10 rebounds and LeBron James 7.4 assists.

Donovan Mitchell leads Cleveland at 22.5 points. James Harden averages 6.3 assists and three turnovers, a risk against a defense that ranks 10th in forcing them.

Peyton Watson, who leads Cleveland with 1.8 blocks a game, is questionable, as is center Jarrett Allen. Tyrese Proctor is also questionable.

Jaylon Tyson, Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Khalifa Diop and Ernest Udeh, Jr. are out, which leaves Evan Mobley (8.3 rebounds) with thin help up front.

Philadelphia is without Dominick Barlow, who plays 23.7 minutes a game, and center Ariel Hukporti, both out. Adem Bona, the team's leader in blocks, is doubtful.

The streak includes road wins at Detroit (112-106), Charlotte (109-104) and Indiana (114-109), plus a 98-93 home win over the Knicks. Cleveland lost to Oklahoma City 124-116 on the road and 117-112 at home.

Philadelphia won the first meeting 114-106 on Thursday, October 22. Sportsbook prices give the 76ers a 57% chance to win; our projection, built from the players available, favors Cleveland at 52%.