CLEVELAND — On the second night of a back-to-back, the Cavaliers, beat the banged-up Philadelphia 76ers 115-101 March 9 at Rocket Arena.
The Cavs fell to the Celtics March 8 in a game that again established Boston as the team to beat in the East. Cleveland only had a few hours to let the loss marinate as they tried to maintain a top-four seed in the conference. The 76ers are battling for either a spot in the play-in tournament or a top-six seed.
Here’s how the game unfolded.
It’s unclear what the Cavs can really learn from this game given the state of the 76ers roster, but Cleveland has easily defeated Philly 115-101. The 76ers never got their deficit under double digits in the fourth quarter.
James Harden led the Cavs with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists. Donovan Mitchell added 17 points and six assists. Dean Wade had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Evan Mobley finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Keon Ellis had a terrific offensive game with 19 points.
This 76ers offense — or what’s left of a skeleton crew — has been tough to watch, and the Cavs lead 87-66 heading into the fourth quarter.
The 76ers aren’t even calling timeouts to try to stop the momentum.
Donovan Mitchell has had a quiet night outside of a nifty move where he dribbled over a defender for a layup (13 points, 3-for-11 shooting from the floor), but it hasn’t mattered. James Harden has been terrific with 21 points, and Keon Ellis has had his best offensive game with Cleveland (17 points, two rebounds through three quarters), and that has been plenty.
The Cavs are cruising against this banged-up 76ers squad, and Cleveland now leads 78-55 midway through the third quarter.
James Harden has been terrific for the Cavs with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists. He also forced a 24-second violation with a block along the sideline.
The 76ers are shooting just 38%from the floor and 22% from 3, and as this was being typed, Justin Edwards threw it into the stands for another turnover.
The banged-up 76ers are struggling to find anything on the offensive end, and the Cavaliers lead 56-44 at halftime.
Prior to the game, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson discussed how Keon Ellis was still finding his footing within Cleveland’s offense. Ellis responded with his best half as a member of the Cavs, scoring 14 points on 4-for-6 shooting. He’s been a much larger part of the offense, something for which the Cavs have been looking to add to his stellar defensive profile.
Donovan Mitchell has 13 points and three assists. James Harden added 12 points and three rebounds.
The 76ers are shooting 43 percent from the floor and just 22 percent from 3-point range.
That wasn’t a pretty quarter of basketball for either side, but the Cavs will take a 26-20 lead into the second quarter.
Jaylon Tyson hit a 3 at the buzzer to extend Cleveland’s advantage to six. James Harden has seven points thus far. All five Cavs players who came off the bench already scored, led by Dennis Schroder’s four points.
For Philly, Quentin Grimes has led the way thus far with eight points.
The Cavaliers missed their first eight 3-point attempts of the night before James Harden buried one, and the 76ers lead 18-16 with 3:05 left in the first quarter.
The Cavs, on the second night of a back-to-back, and the 76ers, who are brutally banged up, both look sluggish.
The Cavaliers played 36 hours ago, and the drop in energy is pretty evident early, as the 76ers lead 12-7 midway through the first quarter.
The Cavs have hit only three of their first 12 shot attempts, and Keon Ellis just airballed a 3.
Below is some pregame information.
Cavs injury report vs 76ers
The Cavs will be without center Jarrett Allen (knee). Max Strus remains out following offseason foot surgery.
James Harden (thumb) and Keon Ellis (finger) are both listed as available. Dean Wade (ankle) is probable.
The 76ers will be without Paul George (suspension), Joel Embiid (oblique) and Tyrese Maxey (finger). Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) is listed as available.
Cleveland Cavaliers game on TV. How can I watch, stream and listen to Cavs vs 76ers tonight?
The March 9 game between the Cavs and 76ers will be televised locally on the FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. The local radio broadcast can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Ryan Lewis covers the Cleveland Cavaliers and Guardians for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].
