Philadelphia @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 9, 2017 ) Philadelphia 98, Cleveland 105

The Philadelphia 76ers were talking homecourt advantage in the playoffs during a seven-game winning streak, but back-to-back losses to fellow Eastern Conference postseason contenders let them know that there is still work to be done. The 76ers will try to avoid a third consecutive setback when they visit another East power at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

Philadelphia dropped a 109-94 decision at Washington to begin the road trip and lost a heartbreaker at Miami 102-101 on Tuesday when JJ Redick's 3-point attempt at the buzzer ended up just short. "We lost to a good team on their home court," 76ers coach Brett Brown told reporters. "It's a game that we feel like going down the stretch we could've -- and in many ways should've -- won, but we didn't. I like the direction we're trending." The Cavaliers are trending in the right direction as well behind superstar LeBron James, who averaged a triple-double in February. "I'm just playing some good ball, and the most consistent thing for me right now is I'm available out there on the floor for my teammates," James told reporters. "They give me the room to go out and do what I need to do to help them as much as I can. And for me to have the month of February, when I averaged a triple-double for the first time in my career, I'm just trying to make plays, get rebounds and also try to score the ball a little bit as well."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE 76ERS (32-27): Philadelphia is still a young team trying to win together for the first time and committed 23 turnovers at Miami after shooting 36 percent against the Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back. "I think we just need to come ready," rookie point guard Ben Simmons told reporters. "Mentally, it was tough. We have to come ready every game." All-Star Joel Embiid is bringing it every game and is averaging 26.5 points on 55.7 percent shooting in four games since the break.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (36-24): James posted averages of 27 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.5 assists in February and became the first player in NBA history to record at least 30,000 points, 8,000 rebounds and 8,000 assists during Tuesday's win over the Brooklyn Nets. "With the long list of so many great players that have come through this league, in the history of this league, for me to be the only (person) in a category, I think it's pretty cool," James told reporters. "It's pretty cool. I take pride in my game. I've always taken pride in being a triple threat since I started playing basketball, and I never wanted to be labeled as a scorer." James, who can become a free agent after this season, was recruited to Philadelphia with three billboards in Cleveland bought by a company based in Pennsylvania.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. 76ers SF Robert Covington is shooting 26.5 percent from the floor over the last five games.

2. Cavaliers PF Larry Nance Jr. recorded his first double-double since joining the team at the trade deadline when he collected 10 points and 10 rebounds on Tuesday.

3. James averaged 30 points, 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists in a pair of wins over Philadelphia earlier this season.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 122, 76ers 116