The Cavaliers led by 29 late in the second quarter and lost 114-106 in Philadelphia, and the night's only lead change came during a 15-0 Sixers run in the fourth. Donovan Mitchell had 32 points and 10 rebounds, but Cleveland scored 37 points after halftime and goes home to face the Nets on Saturday at 0-1.
How does a 29-point lead disappear?
It started before the half. Cleveland led 69-40 with 49 seconds left in the second quarter, then Philadelphia scored 16 straight points into the third and cut it to 69-56. Kenny Atkinson called timeouts at 69-53 and 80-73, and neither one stopped it: an 11-0 burst made it 80-77. The Cavs scored 21 in the third and 16 in the fourth. That isn't bad luck. That's a team that stopped getting good shots.
Where was the game actually lost?
Between 8:15 and 4:06 of the fourth. Cleveland led 95-89, then went more than four minutes without scoring while the 76ers ran off 15 straight to lead 104-95. Jaylen Brown scored 10 in the quarter, Joel Embiid nine and Tyrese Maxey eight. James Harden scored 10 of Cleveland's 16 fourth-quarter points, including a driving layup that made it 110-104, and nobody else could get a bucket to fall.
Who closed, and did it work?
Atkinson closed with Mitchell, Harden, Jarrett Allen, Peyton Watson and Sam Merrill over the last five minutes, then brought Evan Mobley back for the final possessions. It didn't work. With 16 seconds left, Mitchell missed a 26-foot pull-up three and LeBron James grabbed the rebound. Watson earns a D: 2-of-7 shooting, five turnovers and a team-worst minus-19 in 30 minutes. Merrill was the best on the team at plus-5 in 24 minutes.
How do the key players grade out?
Mitchell gets a B-plus: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 11-of-19 from the field and 8-of-11 at the line, marked down for five turnovers. Harden gets a C-minus: 3-of-6 from three and 10 points in the fourth, but six turnovers and minus-17. Mobley gets a C for 18 points on 7-of-13 and a minus-15. Allen was cleared on his right knee on game day and earns a B with 14 points on 6-of-10 and two blocks.
Does one October loss change anything?
The standings barely move: 0-1, 12th, one game behind sixth-place Washington and tied with Brooklyn at 10th. The questions get sharper, though. Mitchell, Harden and Watson combined for 16 turnovers, the bench scored 18 to the starters' 88, and Mario Hezonja went 0-for-5 from deep. The Nets visit Saturday, followed by Minnesota and Washington at home before road games at Atlanta and Milwaukee.
Did the Cavs blow a 29-point lead against the 76ers?
Yes. Cleveland led 69-40 late in the second quarter and lost 114-106 in Philadelphia on October 22.
Did Jarrett Allen play against the 76ers?
Yes. Allen was cleared on game day and had 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 28 minutes.
