CLEVELAND — Darius Garland contributed 26 points while Evan Mobley added a notable performance with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a decisive 126-99 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday evening.
Donovan Mitchell finished the night with 19 points, and Georges Niang came off the bench to chip in 13 points for the Cavaliers, who boast the best record in the league at 25-4.
Demonstrating their shooting prowess, Cleveland matched their season high by sinking 22 three-pointers, with Garland hitting 6 of his 7 attempts. The Cavaliers also improved their staggering home record to an impressive 16-1, solidifying their dominance in the league.
For Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey netted 27 points, with 13 of those coming in a strong third quarter. Paul George contributed 11 points, but the team struggled, as Kelly Oubre Jr. managed only nine points in 27 minutes of play, during which the 76ers were outscored by a significant margin of 34 points.
The 76ers missed the presence of Joel Embiid, who did not participate in this game due to a sinus fracture and soreness in his knee. Embiid had scored 34 points in the previous game against Charlotte, showcasing his influential role when healthy.
Takeaways from the matchup reveal that 76ers Coach Nick Nurse was adjusting to a shift in his rotation after rookie shooting guard Jared McCain underwent knee surgery earlier in the week. “When you lose McCain, all those plans go right out the window,” he noted, reflecting the impact of that change on the team’s strategy.
On the Cavaliers’ side, Mobley had a slow start but made a significant impact by scoring 12 points in the second quarter and adding 10 in the third, exerting his dominance within the paint. Currently, he is averaging a career-best 18.4 points and 9.0 rebounds this season.
A highlight moment came when Mobley made a spectacular drive to the basket, executing a powerful dunk over KJ Martin and Andre Drummond, which sparked an enthusiastic reaction from the crowd and energized the Cavaliers’ bench, fueling a 9-0 run to start the second half.
In terms of statistics, the Cavaliers’ shooting from beyond the arc was exceptional, with 22 out of 43 three-point attempts made. This achievement marks a franchise milestone, as it is the first time they have hit 19 or more three-pointers in three consecutive games. The team leads the NBA with an impressive .405 three-point shooting percentage.
Looking ahead, the 76ers will take on the San Antonio Spurs at home on Monday, while the Cavaliers are set to host the Utah Jazz on the same day.