For their second outing since the resounding transfer between Ben Simmons and James Harden, the Sixers behaved like bosses, to dominate (103-93) the Cavaliers who nevertheless remained on four successes in a row.
A victory in which Joel Embiid greatly participated, since he compiled no less than 40 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals, in just 33 minutes, to guide Philadelphia to authoritarian success. And, this, while he was facing one of the best defensive rackets in the league, if not the best!
Inevitably, we can only look forward to seeing his association with James Harden, who arrived in Pennsylvania this Saturday and who could make his debut next Tuesday…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Joel Embiid at the top of his game. New demonstration of strength from the Cameroonian, who has become the second Sixers player to score a triple-double with more points, after the illustrious Wilt Chamberlain (1966, 1967, 1968). Omnipresent from the start of the match, the All-Star pivot flew over his duel with Jarrett Allen, aligning successes at 3-pts, mid-range, in the paint and free throws with disconcerting ease. The icing on the cake, it was he who was responsible for finishing the Cavaliers in the last five minutes of the game. Enough to get a “standing ovation”, when he will soon be teaming up with… James Harden.
— Darius Garland wasn’t enough. Back from injury, the leader of the Cavaliers could not avoid the defeat of his team. Very scoring oriented (27 points, for only 1 pass and also with 6 ball losses), he thus allowed his people for a long time not to be left behind more than that in the first half. However, even on a good evening at the level of the address, the neo All-Star found himself too short in duration, while Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Caris LeVert or Kevin Love did not know how to weigh like usually on the Cleveland game.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Matisse Thybulle. A poison. This is what the rear / winger of the Sixers, author of 6 interceptions (his career high), to accompany his 6 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists. His statistics are certainly not the most impressive of all, but the Australian is essential for his team, in the shadow of Joel Embiid, between his stifling defense and now his ability to make beautiful cuts to the basket. The more the days pass, the more the 24-year-old player progresses, and we really understand why Daryl Money did not want to part with him in exchange for James Harden.
⛔ The Cleveland Attack. Outside of Darius Garland (and Caris LeVert), no one is able to really create play for the Cavs. This sometimes gives rise to rather foul offensive sequences, with a succession of passes, if not isolations, which come to nothing. Faced with a defense as grouped and solid as that of the Sixers, the men of JB Bickerstaff therefore experienced all the trouble in the world to make differences on this side of the floor. Hence their 93 small points scored.
JOEL EMBIID MURDERS JARRETT ALLEN
Something tells us that Jarrett Allen is going to have Joel Embiid nightmares all night…
Completely dominated by the pivot of the Sixers, on each side of the floor, the pivot of the Cavaliers was also done badly “ posterize by his direct opponent at the end of the first half, following an uncertain defensive rebound. And the sanction was not long in coming, with this terrible dunk…
THE FOLLOWING
Philadelphia (34-22) : reception of Boston, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (01:30).
Cleveland (35-22) : trip to Atlanta, overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday (1:30 a.m.).
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