by The Philadelphia 76ers (38-19) got out running from the get go against the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-23). But, the visitors chipped away and got the lead down to as little as four late in the fourth. Philadelphia was able to answer down the stretch, ending Cleveland’s seven-game win streak with a 118-112 victory. The 76ers have now rattled off four straight and get to rest until next Thursday.
It was clear that the 76ers were trying to send a message to their opponent but, also the rest of the Eastern Conference, that it is a three-team race. James Harden propelled a 31-10 start, notching eight points and eight assists. He dissected a Cavaliers defense that has restricted opponents to just 99.6 points during their previous seven games.
At the end of the first, Philadelphia shot 56.6% from the floor and 87.5% from three-point land. Pair that with great defense and you will find yourself in good shape for the rest of the way, and it certainly felt Cleveland was down and out. They committed five turnovers in the first 12 minutes, which allowed for the 76ers to get out on the fast break and stretch the defense thin and hit their threes at the high clip.
Darius Garland was a saving grace heading into the second quarter hitting all four of his shots for 11 points.
Even more troubling, the Cavaliers fell behind by as much as 28 in the second half. Another reason things got out of control was due in part to All-Star starter, Donovan Mitchell, struggling from the field. He could only muster eight points in two frames. The menacing presence of Joel Embiid had the Cavaliers’ bigs playing more on the perimeter. In particular, Evan Mobley, who is hovering around 20% from three, hoisted four long balls and clanked all of them.
Jarrett Allen’s effect was more quiet than usual as well, scoring 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Slowly but surely though, Cleveland did not go away in the second half. Mitchell dropped in nine points in the third and that brought the lead down to 17 with one more period remaining. Mobley caught the hot shooting bug from Mitchell in the fourth, adding 10.
However, Philadelphia matched the Cavaliers push, icing the game going 6-6 from the free throw line in the last 40 seconds in regulation. Mitchell came through to get his team within striking distance, hitting the 30-point mark after dropping 40 plus against the Spurs Monday.
Garland finished with 27 and Mobley 23. Besides dropping in more shots, Cleveland was able to minimize the mistakes, only coughing the ball up once in the second half and dishing 17 assists. The 76ers efficiency also took a dip thanks the Cavaliers ramping up the intensity on defense. Forcing nine turnovers and turning those into 20 points shows their grit they have been playing with as of late. Unfortunately, they fell behind by too much at tip off and that doomed them in the end.
Cleveland will not play until next Thursday too, when they host the top seed in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets. Philadelphia faces off with Memphis on their home floor as well.
