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Sixers to sit Joel Embiid against Cavaliers

Embiid will face DeMarcus Cousins and the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.

The Sixers will save Joel Embiid for the second of back-to-back games on Sunday against New Orleans.
The Sixers will save Joel Embiid for the second of back-to-back games on Sunday against New Orleans.Read moreMatt Slocum / AP Photo
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

CLEVELAND – Joel Embiid will miss Saturday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to multiple sources with knowledge.

This isn't surprising, considering that 76ers center has yet to be cleared to play on consecutive nights.  He'll play in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Arena.

Embiid did not participate in both games of back-to-back situations last season. Nor did he during the first two back-to-back situations this season. He missed most of the offseason recovering from surgery on his torn meniscus.

Missing Saturday's game as opposed to Sunday's matchup makes sense. The 7-foot-2, 279-pounder was neutralized defensively against the Cavaliers small lineup that starts Kevin Love at center in Cleveland's 113-91 win on Nov. 27 at Wells Fargo Center.

Playing in the perimeter, Love kept pulling Embiid out of the paint.

Without him down low, LeBron James kept attacking the paint en route to breaking the game open early on.

However, the Sixers (13-11) will need Embiid's presence to square off against Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins on the block.

In all, Saturday will mark the fourth game (three for back-to-back situations) Embiid missed this season due to rest.