It was a regular game in November, but it felt like more than that. It really felt as if the Philadelphia 76ers really needed to win this one. Their urgency on Sunday showed that they felt the same way in a 114-95 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Sixers led by as many as 31 and held the Cavaliers to 37.8% shooting as they suffocated them defensively. The defense then fueled the offense as Philadelphia shot 54.8% from the floor in comparison.
It was a performance that was really needed after the team dropped five of their previous seven games and it almost seemed as if the sky was falling. Ben Simmons, who had 10 points and 11 assists, liked the team’s attitude coming into the game as he stated:
We just had to lock in. Everybody knew what we needed to do. Everybody came in with the same mindset. We just got to finish the right way. Regardless of what happened on this trip, we got to stay focused and locked in each day and try to get better.
The Sixers also received a good sign from Tobias Harris as he had 27 points on 12-for-14 shooting to lead Philadelphia. It was a good performance from him after he was mired in a long slump that really affected his, and the team’s, performance.
Harris stated:
I just took what was there for me…Took what the defense gave me. I just got in a flow and a good rhythm, so obviously it feels good to be 100% health-wise and will look to keep it going.
The Sixers will now look to carry this back home on Wednesday when they return home to face the New York Knicks. [lawrence-related id=19425,19418,19412]