The race for playoff spots is heating up in the Eastern Conference, with the sixth-seed Philadelphia 76ers sitting just 3.5 games back of the third-seed Cleveland Cavaliers.
MORE: 76ers' Ben Simmons, Jazz's Donovan Mitchell named Kia Rookies of the Month for February
The Sixers have won seven of their past nine games and will face a much different looking Cavaliers outfit than the team they lost to twice earlier in the season.
Cleveland sit 4-2 since overhauling thier roster, but have had the edge over the Sixers to the tune of 11-straight games.
Today's matchup will have all eyes on LeBron James squaring off agianst his protégé Ben Simmons. Simmons, who was earlier in the day named Eastern Conference rookie of the Month for February is averaging 16.6 points per game 7.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game
Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith will miss today's game after it was announced he had been suspended for one game for detrimental conduct.
Cavaliers vs Sixers: Live stream, time, network
Cavaliers vs Sixers: Live stream on NBA League Pass | Boxscore
Tip-off time: 12:00pm AEDT, Friday 2 March
TV: ESPN Aus/NZ
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
Follow all the action here!
And that's all the wrote, Sixers WIN 108-97
#HereTheyCome
— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2018
JJ Redick posted 22 PTS, 4 3PM en route to the @sixers defeating the @cavs 108-97 on the road!
Joel Embiid: 17 PTS, 14 REB, 6 AST
Simmons: 18 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST pic.twitter.com/gNbzSSumx9
Embiid comes through in the clutch for the Sixers!
Joel Embiid 🔄 to extend the @sixers lead!#HereTheyCome 103 / #AllForOne 94 with 34 seconds remaining.
— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2018
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/iyfFpXZbmp
Ben Simmons soars down the lane and crushes it home with two hands.
Ben Simmons attacks and punishes the rim!#HereTheyCome
— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2018
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/qChmczDHSH
Clarkson to James
JC → LBJ #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/S5ZEC1hIsP
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 2, 2018
LeBron James continues his high-flying performance, with another jam. The King has 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists as he heads ot the bench to close out the third quarter.
.@KingJames coming through! 🔨 pic.twitter.com/iMWlgnUbjK
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 2, 2018
Ben Simmons is starting to warm up!
Ben 💰immons knocks it down. pic.twitter.com/lSAQOZ8dcj
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 2, 2018
Half-time: Sixers 59 Cavs 56
LeBron James is having himself quite the first half. The King is up to 15 points, 3 rebound sand 3 assists. He leads all scorers, with Robert Covington (10) leading the charge for Philly.
15 first half points so far for @KingJames. #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/oGFgRChM4m
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 2, 2018
Larry Nance Jr with the quick hands, grabs the steal and does what he does best,....throws it down with authority.
LARRY 👏 NANCE 👏 pic.twitter.com/XZwSaZ6fdp
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 2, 2018
George Hill's been on LeBron's team for just a couple weeks and he's already taking cues from the King.
THE HAMMER! 🔨 #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/Qcma0GUjcw
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 2, 2018
LeBron's digging into his box of magic tricks ealry. Check this ridiculous move as he dribbles it behind-the-back, through Tristan Thompson's legs and then fights through the contact to get it to go.
WOW!
BRON 😯 pic.twitter.com/8e2PUzI6kl
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 2, 2018
Simmons launches the ball down court to find Robert Covington for the three-pointer. Covington's got two quick threes to start the game, opening up plenty of space for his teammates.
Air it out, knock it down. pic.twitter.com/MTPhsxqMct
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 2, 2018
LINEUPS
Tonight's starting line-up vs @Cavs presented by @DraftKings pic.twitter.com/8grgg2RPNo
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 2, 2018
3x #KiaROTM 🗓🗓🗓 pic.twitter.com/LvvNFdHQop
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 1, 2018