Philadelphia has several ways to start and finish a possession through Maxey, Brown, James and Embiid. Its opener turned on a strong defensive stretch, yet New York also collected repeated second chances. Cleveland brings a different test with two guards who can take turns creating the first advantage. The contest should turn on defensive rebounds and on which backcourt can keep its attacks organized deep into the game.
Maxey's drives and free throws gave Philadelphia an outlet at New York, while Brown and James kept the ball moving and the bench supplied timely shooting. Harden and Mitchell can answer with successive drives and passes rather than leaving one creator to solve every late possession. Mobley and Allen also give Cleveland a way to contest Embiid's catches and finish stops on the glass.
Allen is listed as questionable with a knee issue, though a report after morning shooting expected him to play, and he played in Cleveland's last exhibition. Philadelphia's Wade missed its opener, while its listed reserve big absences leave little proven depth behind Embiid. Neither starting five has been announced, so the argument rests on the roles shown in the recent games and reports.
Cleveland should test Philadelphia's guard defenders early, then use the second handler when help arrives. Philadelphia can answer through Maxey's lane pressure and its larger wings, making the rebounding finish of each defensive trip decisive. I am siding with Cleveland to win because its Harden-Mitchell alternation and Allen-Mobley size give it a more durable late-game route than Philadelphia's opener tested.
