In a much-anticipated match up, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers came in and dominated Ben Simmons and the Phiadelphia 76ers. LeBron capped a total team effort that blew the Sixers out of the gym.
The Philadelphia 76ers were the slight favorites coming into tonight’s contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers according to the odds makers in Vegas. Unfortunately for the sellout crowd at the Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers definitely did not play like one.
LeBron James showed exactly why his teams are almost always the Eastern Conference favorites to start the game. LBJ either scored or assisted on the Cavaliers first fifteen points to get the Cavaliers out to an early first quarter lead. Even though the Sixers battled back in the first half to get a brief lead, they could not overcome a dreadful shooting night. (3-28 from three-point range)
The defensive scheme of the Cavaliers really held Ben Simmons in check and kept J.J. Redick off of the three-point line. Even though the Sixers out rebounded the Cavaliers 53 to 45, the ten offensive rebound by the Cavs really hurt the Sixers from getting back into the game. Cleveland even kept Joel Embiid off balance in the first half with their double teams and made Joel guard all the way out to the 3-point line.
For his part, Embiid dominated the third frame for the 76ers. He was literally all over the floor. He scored half of his 30 points in the third quarter. It was almost enough to get the Sixers back into the ball game. The Cavaliers lead was down to three points at one point in the third and then had the game felt close with the score 77-71. But it was not to be as the Cavaliers thundered back with a 19-5 run to seal the game.
Much was made on the broadcast about LeBron James elevating his game because of the match up against the 76ers. I believe this effect is very much overstated. The Cavaliers came into the game against Philadelphia on seven-game winning streak for a reason. LeBron James has been locked in lately. Anyone throwing up Cleveland on League Pass would see a Cleveland team coming together behind LeBron. The Sixers will have to wait until Dec. 9 in Cleveland to try avenge their disappointing performance tonight.
Bench Scoring Deciding the Game
Coming into the contest, one would think LeBron James leaving the court for the Cavaliers would lead to the Sixers having success. The outcome tonight was just the opposite. Cleveland outscored the Sixers 17-8 without Lebron on the floor at one point in the second half just as the Sixers were making inroads on the Cavs’ lead.
The bench from the Cavaliers scoring 57 points proved to be the real difference in the game along with the Sixers cold three-point shooting. It was a total team effort from the Cavaliers. Kyle Korver and Channing Frye hit some devastating threes. Dwayne Wade did some vintage Wade things, including a block on Joel Embiid. Even much maligned Jeff Green did some dirty work.
The Sixers bench on the other hand only scored 30 points, creating a 27-point differential. T.J. McConnell put his best foot forward, but Jerryd Bayless did not add anything off of the bench. A bench performance like tonight highlights just what the Sixers are missing with Markelle Fultz out. A Fultz with the range he showed at Washington paired with his shot creation would go a long way towards closing the gap with a team like the Cavaliers.
Quick Hits:
- Jahlil Okafor stayed in the news today, with a Woj Bomb detailing Jah and his agent’s feelings on the unfortunate situation that still finds Jah on the team. He continued to ride the pine tonight against the Cavs.
- Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot showed some promising flashes tonight. He made some athletic back door cuts and hustle plays. If that is combined with a consistent 3-point shot he could prove a very key role player the Sixers want him to be.
- Robert Covington did not score until the nine minutes to go in the third quarter and went 0-9 from beyond the arc. The Sixers offense cannot fully hum without his three-point shooting. We learned after the game that there was a bigger than basketball reason that RoCo may have been off his game. As Sara Todd reported, Robert learned before the game that he lost a childhood friend who was shot and killed. Prayers up for the friends and family.
Next: JJ Redick Makes Sixers Elite