The weary Philadelphia 76ers end their road trip with a tough loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

The Sixers entered the game without the services of Joel Embiid (rest), Jared McCain (rest), Paul George (knee) and Dominick Barlow (elbow). The Cavaliers entered the game without De’Andre Hunter (illness) and Max Strus (foot).

Just how good do experts think the Sixers are this season? Here’s what they’re saying after the Sixers 5-2 start.

CHICAGO -- Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe has gotten off to a great start to his NBA career. The No. 3 overall pick is averaging 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists through the first seven games of his career. He has been terrific and has shown off a high basketball IQ on the floor.

Once up by 24 points, the Sixers fell to a 113-111 loss to the Bulls at United Center. Chicago moved to 6-1 and the Sixers dropped to 5-2. Nikola Vucevic drilled a go-ahead corner three-pointer with 3.2 seconds left. Quentin Grimes then had a good look at a game-winner, but he missed a top-of-the-key three-point attempt.

Jared McCain made his season debut on Tuesday night, marking his return to NBA action after more than 10 months on the sidelines. Nine-time All Star Paul George should join him shortly. Joel Embiid is playing more minutes as the year goes on, and the hope is that eventually his minutes restriction will be lifted.

To Nurse's point, the Sixers didn't quit. They did eventually rally and tie the game at 72 in the third, but the Cavs responded with a backbreaking 13-0 run and the Sixers couldn't get back into it after that. It was just too much as Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell went off for 46 points.

Former Philadelphia 76ers president Pat Croce still has a vivid recollection of how he reacted after Allen Iverson knocked down a baseline jumper in front of the Los Angeles Lakers bench in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. According to Croce, it drove him even crazier when Iverson stepped over Ty Lue.