Cavaliers – Sixers: Tyrese Maxey stronger than Darius Garland

While waiting for Joel Embiid to return to business, it is Tyrese Maxey who is carrying Philadelphia on his shoulders during this preseason. The leader / back was expected in Cleveland, especially for the new duel that awaited him against Darius Garland. We can say that he won his face-to-face again since he allowed his people to quickly make the difference in a one-sided first act (20-33) and that his team held on until the end. .

Author of 13 of his 19 points in the first act, Tyrese Maxey then saw his teammates take over to maintain the gap. Like Tobias Harris, precious when it was necessary to repel the opposing attacks on the return from the locker room when Cleveland returned to -5 (56-61), or even the Milton-Harden tandem.

Clumsiness and bullet losses, the losing combo

On the Cavs side, beyond the worrying clumsiness of the team at 3-points (5/21) but also on free throws (24/37!), it was the loss of balls that weighed down the troops of JB Bickerstaff .

It is also on this ground that Darius Garland lost his battle against Tyrese Maxey with his five “turnovers” which somewhat spoil his honorable performance elsewhere (17 points at 6/10 in shooting, 7 assists). As for Donovan Mitchell, it is clear that the back is still looking for his marks, he who finished the game with 11 points (3/9 shooting) and 4 lost balls.

Still undefeated in preseason, the Sixers will end their campaign against Charlotte on Thursday. At the same time, Cleveland will receive Atlanta on its side with a first victory in sight.