The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to score back-to-back wins against the Philadelphia 76ers when they meet again on Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The Cavaliers trampled the 76ers, 133-107, at the same venue on Wednesday, to improve to 23-19. Donovan Mitchell exploded for 35 points on 11-of-22 shooting, while adding seven rebounds and nine assists.
The win, however, was costly, as Darius Garland and Sam Merrill suffered a toe injury and a hand injury, respectively.
On Thursday, the Cavaliers announced that Garland and Merrill will sit out the rematch against the 76ers, as reported by SB Nation’s Jackson Flickinger.
Garland exited the game on Wednesday in the third quarter after hurting himself during a battle for a loose ball. He finished with 20 points, three rebounds, and seven assists.
Merrill, meanwhile, did not return after the first half. He only played 10 minutes off the bench, logging three points and three rebounds.
The Cavaliers will try to beat the Sixers without two key members of the rotation. Without Garland and Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Lonzo Ball, and Craig Porter Jr. are expected to fill the void.
Garland is averaging 18.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, while Merrill is having a breakout campaign with career-highs of 13.8 points, 45.5% shooting from long distance, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
Coach Kenny Atkinson has found ways to win even with an incomplete roster, and he will be well-prepared to face Philadelphia minus two productive guards.
As for the 76ers, Joel Embiid and Paul George, who are both dealing with knee issues, are listed as probable in the injury report, while Dominick Barlow is out due to a back injury.