Wrap-Up – In the Cavs’ previous three road losses, they were doomed by a slow start – trailing each game after one quarter. On Friday night, it was just the opposite, as the Wine and Gold led by two touchdowns after the first period, then proceeded to get outscored, 63-33, over the next two. When it was all said and done, Cleveland had dropped its fourth straight road decision to start the season – falling, 94-79, on Friday night in Philly.
The Cavaliers shot just 33 percent as a team, while the surprising Sixers used six players in double-figures to get their fourth win of the season. Dion Waiters, the pride of South Philly, led Cleveland with 18 points on 7-for-19 shooting, adding six boards and three assists. Tristan Thompson doubled-up with 13 points and 16 boards. CJ Miles and Jarrett Jack each notched 13 points and three helpers off the bench, and Kyrie Irving rounded out the Cavs in double-figures with 10 points – going just 4-of-17 from the floor, but leading both teams with nine assists.
The Sixers shot 48 percent from the field and were led by Evan Turner, who doubled-up with 22 points and 10 boards, and Spencer Hawes, who swatted six Cavalier offerings to go with 10 points and seven boards.
Turning Point – The turning point of Friday night’s loss was simply the start of the second quarter. With the Cavaliers lapping Philly, 28-14 after one, the Sixers went on a 13-2 run to start the next period. CJ Miles’ jumper put the Cavs back up seven, but the Sixers made another push, capped by Michael Carter-Williams’ three-pointer, which gave Philadelphia a lead they would not relinquish.
Game Ball – Tristan Thompson – The third-year forward from Texas went hard all night in Friday’s loss, tallying his third double-double of the early season. Thompson was 5-of-15 from the floor and 3-for-4 from the stripe, snagging a game-high 16 boards – including nine off the offensive glass. Tristan also led the squad with a pair of blocked shots.
By the Numbers – 1, 2 … occasions that Friday’s game was tied and the lead changed hands, respectively – and indicative of the oddly lopsided affair.
Quotable – Andrew Bynum, on the reception he got in his return to the Wells Fargo Center, where he was booed heartily from the layup line through the last time he touched the ball in the fourth quarter …
”I thought it was a little weak. Honestly, I thought it was going to be much worse.”
Up Next – The Cavaliers return home for a quick chance at revenge – welcoming the Sixers to The Q for the second half of the home-and-home back-to-back. The Wine and Gold get right back on the road afterward, traveling to the Windy City for a Central Division matchup against Derek Rose and the Bulls on Monday night. From there, it’s off to Minnesota where they’ll take on a Timberwolves team they topped last Monday night. On Friday, Cleveland returns home for another meeting with the Charlotte Bobcats – who they faced twice in the preseason and once already in the regular campaign.