Philadelphia also has a game to play before this one. The Sixers visit the Knicks on October 20, and how that goes will tell us how much James and Embiid are actually playing, how the minutes get split with this many scorers, and what kind of shape the frontcourt is in 2 days later. Cleveland doesn't play before tipoff here, so the Cavs should show up rested.
The injury list matters more at home than on the road in this game. Ariel Hukporti is out for the season with a ruptured right Achilles. Tacko Fall (hip), Dominick Barlow (back) and Dean Wade (ankle) all missed Sunday's practice. Adem Bona (foot) and Anfernee Simons (hamstring) were full participants, so those 2 are moving in the right direction. Still, the depth behind Embiid at center is thin, and that's the spot Mobley would most like to go after.
Cleveland's injured players are mostly role guys. Sam Merrill (elbow) sat out Saturday's scrimmage. Nae'Qwan Tomlin (back) and Khalifa Diop (knee) both missed the Magic game. Merrill is the one to watch, because he's a big part of the Cavs' bench shooting, and without him more of the creating falls on Harden and the young guards. Jaylon Tyson had 12 on 5-for-9 shooting against Orlando and could see more minutes if Merrill can't go.
Here's what this game comes down to. Can Watson and Mobley make life hard for a Philadelphia roster built on the idea that one of its stars will always get going? Or does all that talent overwhelm Cleveland the way the books expect, with the Sixers favored at home? Last season Philly went 45-37 and got swept by the Knicks in the second round. Everything the Sixers did this summer was a response to that, and Thursday at 7:00 PM ET is the first chance to see it against a team that isn't New York.