Cleveland @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2019 ) Philadelphia 114, Cleveland 95

The Philadelphia 76ers strive to bounce back from a disappointing setback when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday in the opener of a three-game homestand. Philadelphia has won eight of its past 10 games but one of the blemishes was Thursday's 119-113 road loss to the Washington Wizards.

The 76ers are 10-0 at home but just 5-7 on the road and the loss to the Wizards included 21 turnovers with center Joel Embiid committing eight and point guard Ben Simmons registering seven. Forward Tobias Harris, who scored a season-best 33 points, described the team's performance as "terrible" while coach Brett Brown said in part, "I didn't think we responded well at all." Cleveland suffered its fifth straight loss and 11th in 12 games when it dropped a 93-87 decision to the visiting Orlando Magic on Friday. Power forward Kevin Love (illness) missed the contest and the Cavaliers are hopeful he will be able to play Saturday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (5-16): John Beilein's style apparently isn't going over well with all the Cleveland players as The Athletic reported that the methods of the former college coach aren't working and players are tuning him out. "We've met with (the team) and it's like, 'Coach, keep doing what you're doing because we really need this. We need accountability, we need to play harder, stronger, tougher. Don't stop what you're doing,'" Beilein told reporters. "We were the worst defensive team in the NBA last year. What do we do, practice less? I have a lot of confidence the guys in the locker room are on board, and they've told me that." Power forward Larry Nance Jr. made it clear he's not among the disgruntled players and said he is enjoying playing for the former Michigan coach.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (15-7): Embiid scored 26 points and collected a season-best 21 rebounds against the Wizards but suffered a bruised left hip and will sit out Saturday. Embiid also might miss Sunday's game against Toronto and he had a porous game against the Raptors on Nov. 25 when he missed all 11 of his field-goal attempts and his three free throws while going scoreless in a 101-96 road loss. Simmons made 8-of-10 shots against Washington while recording 17 points and 10 assists for his second double-double in three games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The 76ers are 2-0 against the Cavaliers this season and have won the past four meetings.

2. Cleveland backup SG Jordan Clarkson is just 13-of-41 from the field over the past four contests.

3. Philadelphia SG Josh Richardson (hamstring) will miss his fifth straight game.

PREDICTION: 76ers 122, Cavaliers 93