PHILADELPHIA, PA--- The Cavs have now lost 3 out of their last 4 games after losing to the 76ers 104-97 Friday night in a game where they would make runs, but couldn't quite take control. The Cavs were once again without Donovan Mitchell, who was ruled out with an illness for 2 nights in a row. The Cavs came in as 4.5 point favorites, having the best road record in the NBA at 17-8.
The main story of this game was 2 teams grinding back and forth, with a large run form one team, then a large run from the next and so on and so forth, both teams were playing some inconsistent basketball all night. The Cavs were relying heavy on Darius Garland, who had 12 first half points, finishing with 20 points and 9 assists. there was 2 key aspects the Cavs were missing, the 3 point shot and bench points. The Cavs only attempted 9 first half 3 pointers, making 5 and at one point the Cavs bench was out scored 24-7 by the 76ers' bench. A usual contributor off the Cavs bench Caris LeVert struggled big time tonight, going 1 for 11 from the field. Aside form Garland in the first half, Jarrett Allen was the next big Cavs' contributor with 11 points, followed by Isaac Okoro with 9 points.
The 3rd quarter would start by seeing 2 big runs from each time, a 10-2 Cavs run, then an 11-0 run from the 76ers. Another struggle for the Cavs was free throw shooting, the Cavs 21 for 31 from the charity stripe. As the game would wind down, the Cavs put up one heck of a fight, after would was thought to a dagger 3 pointer from the 76ers late in the game, Darius Garland was fouled on a 3 point attempt, closing a 100-92 lead down to 100-95 with 3 made free throws, Garland would then come up with an extremely athletic steal and pass to Max Strus who laid it in to make it a 3 point game at 100-97. The Cavs could not quite close it inn losing 104-97.
The Cavs will head to the nation's capital Sunday afternoon to play the Wizards, tip off s set for 6 pm