Darius Garland scored 25 factors and Donovan Mitchell took over down the stretch because the Cleveland Cavaliers remained undefeated with a 114-106 street victory over the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
Mitchell completed with 23 factors, 13 rebounds and 9 assists for Cleveland (13-0), which is off to the NBA’s greatest begin for the reason that Golden State Warriors’ record-setting 24-game successful streak to start the 2015-16 season. The Cavaliers scuffled by a lot of the primary half on this one earlier than making a wide range of huge photographs when it mattered most.
Philadelphia fought exhausting with out Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (knee) and Tyrese Maxey (hamstring) however nonetheless misplaced for the ninth time in 11 video games this season. The 76ers have been taking part in on back-to-back nights, having misplaced to the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
Rookie Jared McCain took benefit of the obtainable taking part in time by scoring a career-high 34 factors, whereas Kelly Oubre Jr had 20 and Caleb Martin chipped in 18.
With Cleveland clinging to a 103-100 lead with underneath three minutes to play, Mitchell drained three-pointers on consecutive possessions to place the Cavaliers forward 109-102. He added a step-back three-pointer with 1:18 remaining after which drove for a layup to make it 114-104 with a few minute left.
Each groups made 5 three-pointers within the first quarter – the Cavs wanted solely eight makes an attempt to take action – as Cleveland led 31-27 after one interval.
The Sixers started the second quarter with a 12-1 run. Reggie Jackson scored eight of these factors for the hosts, whereas Martin had the opposite 4. Philadelphia led by as many as eight factors within the second quarter and held a 54-48 lead going into the locker room.
Early within the third quarter, Cleveland scored 10 straight factors, punctuated by Garland’s floater, to show a seven-point deficit right into a 62-59 lead. Garland scored 13 third-quarter factors for the guests, who led 82-78 after three intervals.
Mitchell discovered Ty Jerome for a three-pointer on the primary possession of the fourth quarter after which drained a jumper on the subsequent journey to develop Cleveland’s cushion to 87-78. Philadelphia chipped away, nevertheless, closing inside 95-93 on Oubre’s layup with 6:47 to play.
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