Cavaliers Beat the 76ers 122-119: Game Recap 11/21/23

Post-Game Recap

3 Key Factors Around the Victory

1 – Team effort

This was indeed a team victory for the Cavs, as at times in the second half, it was debatable how they scored on the offensive end. 

Darius Garland, who looked like he had injured his wrist at one point, came through with 32 points, and Jarrett Allen had a solid offensive game as well, pouring in 26 while guarding Joel Embiid on the other end.

And then there’s Craig Porter Jr., who continues to impress and made a crucial bucket in overtime to give them the lead with under a minute to go.  Porter ended the game with 12 points and nine assists. 

2 – Rebounding

The Cavs won this game on the glass. They outrebounded the Sixers by 12 led by Allen with 13 boards, Evan Mobley with 12, and Tristan Thompson, who added another 7. 

3 – End of game

The Cavs allowed only three points in the final 1:39 of the game. With 9.1 seconds left, the Sixers missed the game-tying three-pointer and then turned the ball over to end the game. 

Game Summary

In their third consecutive game with a shorthanded lineup, the Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak with a 122-119 overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night in the NBA In-Season Tournament. Darius Garland led the charge with 32 points, while Jarrett Allen contributed 26 points.

Despite missing key players Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, and Isaac Okoro due to injuries, the Cavaliers (8-6, 2-1 In-Season Tournament) stayed in contention for the Eastern Conference’s wild-card berth. The win also showcased a balanced performance from Cleveland, with six players scoring in double figures. The team dominated the paint and the boards, outrebounding the Sixers 61-53 and holding a 68-52 advantage in points in the paint.

The 76ers (10-4, 2-2 In-Season Tournament) were eliminated from tournament contention after losing both games on their home court. This marked Philadelphia’s third consecutive home loss after winning the first six home games of the season.

Joel Embiid scored 32 points, and Tyrese Maxey added 30 for the 76ers. Despite the Cavaliers holding an 18-point lead early in the third quarter, Maxey and Embiid led a comeback, reducing the deficit to nine by the end of the third quarter. Although the Sixers briefly took a one-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers responded, and the game went into overtime.

In the crucial moments of overtime, Jarrett Allen’s 8-foot hook shot, assisted by Craig Porter, secured a 120-119 lead for the Cavs with 18 seconds left. Despite missed layup attempts by Embiid and Maxey at the other end, the Cavaliers held on for the win. Darius Garland sealed the victory with two free throws in the final seconds.

Philadelphia guard Kelly Oubre Jr. continued his rehabilitation after breaking a rib on Nov. 11. He participated in individual on-court workouts on Monday and will be re-evaluated in a week to determine his return timeline. Coach Nick Nurse expressed optimism about Oubre’s progress, noting that his readiness to handle contact would be a key factor in determining the timeline for his return.

Up Next

Home vs Miami Heat Wednesday 7:30 PM.