Led by Embiid, the Sixers were extraordinarily efficient in the first quarter, beginning 13 of 17 from the floor.

If they’re coming from the baseline, we know who should be slashing and to make sure that we get a wide-open shot on the opposite corner.” If teams are doubling from the top, we know who should be cutting. We have designated cutters that are supposed to do their job, and Matisse has been excellent at it all season long. “As soon as I catch the ball, someone doubles. “Matisse, that’s what we’ve been working on for the last two years, just to be on the same page,' Embiid said. Thybulle identified the resulting chances to score, posting four of the Sixers’ first seven points on a layup and dunk off of Embiid assists. Mobley was technically assigned to Matisse Thybulle but eager to help on Embiid. One way he did that was making Cleveland pay for its plan of having Evan Mobley roam defensively. Embiid busted a Cavs zone possession with a three-pointer, beat Allen with a rip-through move and established early control of the game. Jarrett Allen and Cleveland had no answers against Embiid, conceding 14 points (on five field-goal attempts) to him within seven minutes and 16 seconds. Pretty sore, but hopefully it’ll be fine.” “Something that’s probably going to be there for a while, but just got to keep managing it. Rivers said the team was not concerned about the swelling Embiid first experienced ahead of the Sixers’ win Friday over the Thunder, though the All-Star big man indicated after the game that it might not be a short-term issue. Here are observations on their win over the Cavs: Early Embiid-Thybulle connection keyĮmbiid played with a black wrap on his right wrist. The Sixers' final home game before the All-Star break is Tuesday night against the Celtics. Harden and Paul Millsap were the Sixers’ only two inactive players.Ĭollin Sexton (left knee meniscus tear) and Lauri Markkanen (right ankle sprain) were out for Cleveland. There’s no date set yet for his Sixers debut. Once Harden is cleared on the health front, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said that the team plans to play him and a practice wouldn’t be necessary. James Harden touched down in Philadelphia on Saturday and got a warm greeting from Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. He turned in an astonishing performance Saturday night, recording his fourth career triple-double (40 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) in a 103-93 Sixers win over the Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center.Ĭavs guard Darius Garland scored a team-high 27 points.

Joel Embiid is simply as good as it gets in basketball these days.

Sixers score.