In The Post: Cavaliers 113, Sixers 85
Not the performance expected against two of the top teams looking to collect wins and an opportunity to measure where you are versus the other. On Wednesday night in Cleveland, the Cavaliers were the better team and turned the game around in the second quarter. The Cavs took game one of a three-game season series, following the ‘21-22 campaign where the 76ers won all four of their head-to-head matchups. Cleveland did not want to drop this one.
Here’s what stood out, good and bad:
. Joel Embiid handled the basketball a lot early on for the Sixers. In transition opportunities bringing the ball up the floor, but also looking for his teammates in the half-court sets. Positive results early on as a facilitator racking up four assists in the opening quarter.
. Cleveland seemed to be much faster than Philadelphia early in the second as they took advantage of a few Sixers turnovers converting on transition buckets. Smart by the Cavs to use their speed for a few easy points.
. Paul Reed came off the bench providing the 76ers with some much-needed energy early on. Eight points in just under eight minutes of play, getting his hands on one offensive rebounds.
. Evan Mobley is a problem. Only his second year in the league and seems to be able to do it all. Defend, rebound, score and pass – all while under control. Plays with so much poise for such a young player. While he gave up a lot in weight to Embiid, he wasn’t afraid of going up against him on either end of the floor.
. Philadelphia trailed at the break, 68-49. Cleveland had a one-point lead after the first quarter but scored 44 in the second, shooting 94 PERCENT from the floor, missing just one field goal (16-17 FG, 5-5 3FG) — 11 assists on their 16 makes. The Sixers were only able to put 22 on the board in the second. The Cavaliers shot 73 percent from the field in the first half.
The Sixers are now 12-10 after tonight, the Cavs improve to 14-8. There are two more games on this current trip – the 76ers will travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night beginning at 8pm.
