We thought we were witnessing a balanced shock in the Eastern Conference between Cleveland, 3rd, and Philadelphia, 5th… Especially since in the event of a victory, the Sixers stole the place of the Cavaliers in the standings. Unfortunately, for the suspense, we will come back, since Cleveland wins 113-85 after counting up to 33 points in advance! It was in the 2nd quarter that JB Bickerstaff’s men made the break with a dominating Evan Movley under the panels, and an effective Donovan Mitchell out of the screen. The Sixers take on water everywhere, and at the break, the Cavaliers lead by 21 points (69-48).
On returning from the locker room, the same configuration with Caris LeVert who makes people appreciate his mastery of the “stepback”, while Darius Garland systematically breaks the first curtain. The gap swells, thus reaching 33 points (109-78). The “garbage time” is launched six minutes from the end, and Cleveland signs a 9th victory in ten home games.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The anti-Embiid plan. Despite Jarrett Allen’s absence, the Cavaliers limited Joel Embiid to a mere 6 of 16 on shots. Their plan: to make double strikes as soon as he had the ball in hand, and regardless of where on the field. Evan Mobley and Mamadi Diakite took turns as main defender, and the wingers came to help them to prevent Embiid from turning or going to the circle. Result, only in the first half, the Cavaliers are whistled three violations of “three seconds”. It’s very rare, but it completely knocked Embiid out of the game.
A disgusting address. What could the Sixers do? The Cavaliers sign an almost perfect second quarter at 15 out of 16 on shots, or 94% on shots!!! They plant 44 points, two points short of their franchise record. At halftime, Cleveland had 73% on shots, including 67% from 3-pointers.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Evan Mobley. Whether he’s running on the counterattack or playing close to the circle on a place play, Mobley is very comfortable, and he had the luxury of dominating Embiid with 16 points on 8 of 10 on shots at halftime. ! As Cleveland killed the game as soon as they returned from the locker room, he settled for two short stints after the break.
✅Caris LeVert. In the last four games, he posted an awful 4 out of 25 on shots… Last night, as 6th man, LeVert found his paw and it was by attacking the circle that he gained confidence to finish 22 points at 8 on 11 on shots.
✅Paul Reed. The only Sixers player to float. Effective in the 2nd quarter, he did not have much to reproach himself for. Proof that he turned a corner, Doc Rivers did not send him into the “garbage time”, and it was Montrezl Harrell who played the last minutes of the match.
⛔Tobias Harris. He was interesting for several matches, and there is the total flop: 0 out of 7 on shots in 23 minutes.
THE FOLLOWING
Cleveland (14-8) : reception of the Magic on Friday evening.
Philadelphia (12-10) : trip to Memphis on Friday.
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