One game into the season, the Philadelphia 76ers have already shown how hard they can be to crack. Their 106-100 win over New York on Tuesday featured 10 blocks, meaning Philadelphia erased shot after shot near the rim. Now the 1-0 Sixers welcome a Cleveland Cavaliers team opening its season Thursday night at 7:00 PM EDT. It is an early meeting with a huge-story feel: Philadelphia has gathered a dazzling group of stars, while Cleveland arrives with a strong core determined to take the next step.

Tyrese Maxey set the opening-night pace for Philadelphia. He scored 28 points against New York and used his blazing first step to race past defenders. Maxey is the spark that can turn a quiet possession into a fast drive to the basket. Around him stand powerful teammates with different tools. Joel Embiid grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three shots in the opener, even though his shooting was not at its usual level. That makes Embiid a key character in this game: if he finds his touch while protecting the paint, the Sixers become much tougher to slow down.

LeBron James also gave Philadelphia nine rebounds and seven assists in his first game with the club. An assist is a pass that leads directly to a basket, and James has long been one of basketball’s best at finding open teammates. New arrival Jaylen Brown adds another strong scorer and defender on the wing, the area along the sides of the court. With Maxey’s speed, James’ vision, Brown’s power, and Embiid’s size, Philadelphia can attack in several ways.

Yet Cleveland brings an answer that looks like a wall. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen form one of the NBA’s tallest, most active frontcourts. Mobley averaged 18.2 points and nine rebounds last season while blocking 1.7 shots per game. Allen is a sharp finisher close to the hoop. Together, they will challenge Embiid for rebounds and make every drive by Maxey a crowded adventure.

The Cavaliers also have two veteran guards ready to steer the action. Donovan Mitchell averaged 27.9 points last season because he can burst toward the rim or create shots from outside. James Harden paired 23.6 points with eight assists, often using a screen from a taller teammate to create space. Cleveland won 52 games last season, and its steady teamwork showed in 28.3 assists per game. The question on opening night is whether that rhythm will appear right away.

Philadelphia’s first game offered one warning sign: the Sixers made only 27.5 percent of their three-point shots. Cleveland can make life difficult if it guards the paint and encourages outside attempts. Philadelphia, meanwhile, will try to use its rim protection and force Cleveland into rushed passes; extra turnovers can fuel Maxey’s speed in transition.

Cleveland has the size and experience to make this a fierce opener, but Philadelphia already has a game of chemistry and a home crowd behind its new lineup. The prediction is a 76ers victory, with Maxey’s quickness and Philadelphia’s shot-blocking making the late difference.

Philadelphia’s New Star Lineup Faces Cleveland’s Towering Wall