For two quarters, Joel Embiid looked like a man relearning his own game. The Philadelphia 76ers center went 3 of 10 for nine points before intermission against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the team’s first home game on Oct. 22. After the break, he hit 5 of 6 shots for 15 in a 114-106 win.
Embiid pinned the slow start on timing when he spoke postgame. Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 32 points. Jaylen Brown chipped in 21, while LeBron James posted 17 points and 10 rebounds in the biggest rally he’s ever been part of.
Cleveland built a lead as large as 29 and still held a 25-point cushion at halftime. Philadelphia had 14 turnovers by then, two more than it committed in its entire win over the New York Knicks, the defending NBA champions. Long-range shooting had almost nothing to do with it.
The Sixers outscored Cleveland 69-37 after halftime while making 3 of 13 from 3-point range and finished 7-for-28 overall. By his own count, it was “probably a top-five night for me since I’ve been in Philadelphia.” Cleveland’s James Harden, who left the Sixers shortly after the 2023-24 campaign began, found himself opposite Embiid on a handful of possessions. Embiid said they’ve made peace.
Embiid conceded he’d rather the Sixers avoid holes like that one, given how much energy a climb of 29 points takes. Next up for the 2-0 76ers is the Milwaukee Bucks, who visit on Oct. 24 for the first night of a back-to-back.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
