INDEPENDENCE: Jared Cunningham appears to be in line for his first NBA start Friday night when the Cavs host the Philadelphia 76ers. Cunningham was wearing a red starter’s jersey when reporters were allowed into the Cavs’ morning shootaround Friday, while Richard Jefferson was back in a bench player’s white jersey. That’s traditionally a strong indication of that night's starting lineup.
Jefferson started Wednesday’s win against the New York Knicks in place of injured guard J.R. Smith, but coach David Blatt said afterward that was to keep LeBron James from having to guard Carmelo Anthony the entire night. The Sixers don’t have a wing scorer of Anthony’s ability.