With an 8-1 win-loss card entering their latest outing against the Cavaliers, the 76ers looked like they had all the momentum they needed to entrench themselves as the team to beat in the East. Instead, Cleveland decided to give them a big reality check, exposing Philadelphia for the team's bad habit of starting slow out of the gates as they handed the latter just its second loss of the season.
The hosts built a double-digit lead after the first 12 minutes of the game. The 76ers have had recurring issues in the first quarter so far this season, and this time around, their comeback ability was completely MIA. Hopefully, this loss will serve as a reminder for Philly that against quality competition, getting into slow starts and having to stage a furious rally is not a sustainable way to win games, especially against teams expected to be in contention.
The 76ers got a much-needed beatdown in the hands of the Cavaliers
Right now, the 76ers tout the third-worst net rating in the league when it comes to first quarters. Despite having a star-studded opening group composed of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid, this group has been bafflingly bad at starting games. They have had to climb out of big holes in most of their wins so far, which is a pretty taxing and dicey formula to beat their opponents.
Philly's mediocre scoring attack is the main culprit behind their excruciatingly slow starts. They managed to rack up eight wins in their first 10 games largely due to their defense, but it does not erase the fact that their offense has unexpectedly been abysmal thus far, given the blitzkrieg of scoring talent they have.
James and Embiid, who have both happily deferred to their other teammates to begin the campaign, immensely struggled against the Cavaliers. Cleveland doubled down on the 76ers' perimeter operators, and that seems to have had a chilling effect on their rhythm to start games off. Another factor is that this team continues to struggle from beyond the arc, which has empowered defenses to clog the lanes instead.
Sooner or later, opposing teams will get used to the 76ers' weaknesses, and their propensity to be putrid in first quarters will undoubtedly bite them when facing other top teams. While they have one of the most formidable starting and closing lineups in the league, that simply will not matter as much once they go up against teams that can string together a consistent 48 minutes of solid basketball.
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