The Cavaliers opened up the preseason slate at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse without Evan Mobley and Kevin Love which meant the Wine and Gold gave the Philadelphia 76ers a healthy dose of Jarrett Allen. The Fro finished the 1st with 9 to lead the way for Cleveland and more importantly was able to bait James Harden into two quick fouls. Philly however got off to a strong start from long distance with Tyrese Maxey connecting on his first 3 attempts from downtown to top off a 15-point first quarter as the Sixers led 33-20.
New Cav Donovan Mitchell meantime struggled early in his first action inn in his new home, going 0-3 from the field and 1-4 from the line in the first half before his backcourt mate Darius Garland was able to find him on an alley oop to finish with 3 at the break. Philly was a much hotter team from behind the arc connecting on 10-20 three-point shots while the Wine and Gold went 3-13 from 3-point range as the Cavs trailed 61-50 at the half.
The Wine and Gold started the 2nd half trading blows with the Sixers as Mitchell, Garland, and Caris LeVert joined Jarrett Allen in double figures but also coughed the ball up 5 times in the 3rd. Harden and Tobias Harris also woke up at halftime as Philly was able to keep an11-point lead into the 4th quarter 86-75.
Both sides emptied their bench in the 4th as the Cavs got good run from Evan Mobley’s older brother Isaiah with the elder on the floor 18 minutes, snagging 7 rebounds with an assist. In the end, the Sixers answered every Cavs’ run as the lead never got down to a single possession with the majority of Philly’s 17 three-points seemingly coming after a Wine and Gold momentum swing.
Jarrett Allen stepped up with a double-double 19 points and 12 rebounds while Garland tallied 17 points with 7 assists and LeVert and Mitchell finishing with 13 and 11 respectively. Philadelphia was led by Tyrese Maxey’s 19 points.
Cavaliers will reset and host the Hawks on Wednesday, October 12th at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, tipoff at 7 pm.