Yeah, really needed to win the one the day before.
The Sixers, on the second night of a back to back, fell 132-121 to a Cleveland Cavaliers team that had all four stars available for the first time this
season Wednesday night.
Tyrese Maxey had some brilliant moments that briefly made this game close, and finished with 27 on 10-of-20 shooting — and somehow still playing well into the fourth quarter despite a 20-point deficit. Quentin Grimes got going late in the game to finish with 27 as well, going 9-of-15 from the field.
VJ Edgecombe had his toughest game to date, finishing with four points going 2-of-13 from the floor along with four rebounds and four assists.
Trendon Watford had 16 while Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 46.
Here are some thoughts mostly before the buzzer.
First Quarter
- Here’s just a summary of the Sixers turnovers in the opening minutes of the game: Adem Bona didn’t see a quick pass coming to him on the block and just let it hit off his chest. Then he and Maxey were a little too careless crossing half-court and caused a backcourt violation. Capping things off was another sloppy outlet giving the ball up right in front of their own basket. Cleveland was able to jump out to a double-digit lead in no time.
- It also wasn’t a good sign to see them give up three offensive rebounds on the same possession while sitting in a 2-3 zone. For as much as the Cavs shot that zone to death, making seven threes in the quarter, it was somehow an improvement with Andre Drummond able to swat away a couple of drivers.
- Outgunning the Cavs was a tall task, and the Sixers were able to match the output of just Evan Mobley and Mitchell in the quarter. Even Maxey went uncharacteristically 2-of-4 from the free throw line. They looked short on most of their threes, going 2-of-8 from deep, and trailed by 14 at the end of one.
Second Quarter
- Some solid possessions were strung together offensively, led by Trendon Watford, who was able to get to the basket, the line, and knock down a three. They would have made a serious run if they were just able to knock down some free throws, but they were able to briefly get the lead into single digits. Bona struggled the most in that department, unable to take advantage of a transition take foul or a potential four-point play a few possessions later.
- This wasn’t as timid of a half from Edgecombe as he’s had recently, but there was probably opportunity for him to attack the basket more, as daunting a front court as Cleveland has. He had two nice drives start the game but his attacks became sporadic and unsuccessful. In fairness his three-point shot actually had some legs under it but he still missed all three of his attempts.
- It was hard for anyone to stay in a groove with a replay review happening every three minutes, but the Sixers were able to continually chip away at the lead. Maxey seemed inspired by his close friend’s play, starting with a couple successful drives before hitting some absurd three-pointers from well behind the arc. Thanks in large part to 27 points in the quarter from Watford and Maxey, the Sixers were only down by three at the break.
Third Quarter
- Just as quickly as the Sixers tied the game up in the second half the Cavs erased it with a 15-0 run. They were again so reliant on Maxey in isolation that they could get keyed in on. The rest of the starting lineup was shooting 6-of-23 from the field. To be fair, both active centers attempted threes. but only one got it to go.
- This has made them a higher turnover team as well when so many of the passes are hot potatoes. They picked up their 12th turnover after having at least 15 in each of their last three games. Somehow their overtime thriller in Washington was the lowest of the four with 14.
- Nearly everyone has been able to cook the Sixers off the perimeter this year so it’s no surprise Donovan Mitchell was able to do so on a short rested squad. He picked up his 36th point of the night to put the Cavs up 20 at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
- Somehow Grimes was able to score 18 points before hitting his first three-pointer of the night. For however bad he looked on some field goal attempts he was able to get to the line nine times. It was so little enough to stop the Cavs onslaught though that even Kate and Alaa were wondering how long Maxey would still be in the game on the broadcast.
- It increasingly turned into a sour night for Edgecombe. He was increasingly flummoxed challenging the Cavs’ bigs. So much standing around on offense though does make it hard to get to the basket, but he certainly looked liked a rookie in this one.
- Even though they cut the lead to single digits briefly, it was not worth playing all the starters for almost the entirety of the quarter. Funny enough, it was only after the Cavs got right up by 10 that the bench was empty. It is still really early in the season for some of these guys to look as tired as they do.
