Kenny Atkinson Identifies Top Key for Cavaliers Against LeBron James, 76ers

The Cleveland Cavaliers committed 21 turnovers the last time they played the Philadelphia 76ers. Before Friday’s rematch at Rocket Arena, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson named taking care of the ball as one of the keys to the game.

Philadelphia scored 22 points off those turnovers on Oct. 22. The 76ers also had 10 steals and 24 fast-break points, and they outscored Cleveland 69-37 in the second half of a 114-106 win in Philadelphia.

James Harden had 6 of the turnovers. Donovan Mitchell and Peyton Watson had 5 apiece. Mitchell scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss.

Atkinson’s read on the 76ers starts at the defensive end.

“Take care of the ball,” Atkinson said. “They force live-ball turnovers, and that fuels their transition, and it’s really going to be one of the keys to the game. They’re an active, active defense. So we don’t want to fuel their transition. They’re incredible in transition. So that’s going to be a big one tonight.”

The game opens Cleveland’s Emirates NBA Cup group-stage schedule, and Prime Video has the 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Philadelphia comes in 8-1 with five straight wins. It is also 4-0 on the road, its first such start since the 2000-01 season.

The 76ers allow 105.2 points per game, third-fewest in the league. Their defensive rating of 105.4 ranks second.

Philadelphia averages 8.9 steals per game. Dean Wade, who played seven seasons in Cleveland, leads the team with 1.9 steals in 26.3 minutes per game. Tyrese Maxey averages 1.6, and LeBron James averages 1.4.

Maxey led the NBA with 382 fast-break points last season, according to ESPN. James was second with 343 while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the first meeting, Maxey scored 32 points, and 10 of them came on the fast break. James had 9 fast-break points as part of a 17-point night.

Cleveland averages 14.0 turnovers per game. Harden and Mitchell average 3.0 each, and Watson averages 2.3 in six starts.

Mitchell leads the team at 22.5 points per game. Harden is averaging 16.6 points and a team-high 6.3 assists.

The Cavaliers play at the eighth-fastest pace in the league, 101.1 possessions per 48 minutes. They rank fifth in scoring, and they have allowed 117.1 points per game, which ranks 23rd.

Monday’s 117-112 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder started the current skid. Cleveland lost again in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, 124-116, and has dropped three of its last four games.

Jarrett Allen (right knee contusion), Watson (right hamstring injury management), and Tyrese Proctor (left ankle sprain) are questionable for Cleveland. Jaylon Tyson (right ankle sprain) and Nae’Qwan Tomlin (low back stress reaction) are out.

Allen hurt the knee in Wednesday’s loss to the Thunder. He is averaging 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in eight starts.

For Philadelphia, Adem Bona (cervical spine sprain) is doubtful. Dominick Barlow (low back stress reaction) and Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles tendon rupture) are out.