PHILADELPHIA — The Cleveland Cavaliers appeared headed for an impressive opening-night victory Thursday before everything fell apart in the second half. Cleveland built a 29-point lead against the Philadelphia 76ers but couldn't hold on, falling 114-106 in one of the more disappointing season openers imaginable.
The Cavaliers controlled nearly every aspect of the first half, forcing turnovers, getting easy baskets, and building a 35-18 advantage after the first quarter. Their lead reached 29 points late in the second before Philadelphia scored the final five points of the half, sending Cleveland into the locker room ahead 69-45.
Donovan Mitchell led the early charge, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen gave Philadelphia trouble inside. Cleveland scored 69 points in the opening 24 minutes and appeared to have the game firmly under control.
Philadelphia Takes Over After Halftime
Whatever was working for Cleveland in the first half disappeared after the break. The 76ers opened the third quarter with a 13-0 run, cutting the deficit to 11 before the Cavaliers could settle down.
Philadelphia continued attacking, led by Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown. The 76ers outscored Cleveland 37-21 in the third quarter, trimming what had been a 24-point halftime deficit to just eight entering the fourth.
The Cavaliers still led 95-89 after a James Harden three-pointer with 8:37 remaining, but Philadelphia scored the next 13 points to take a 102-95 lead. Embiid put the 76ers ahead for the first time, 96-95, with 6:54 remaining, and Cleveland never regained the lead.
The Cavaliers had opportunities to make it close down the stretch. Harden helped cut Philadelphia's lead to four points with less than three minutes remaining, and Cleveland trailed 106-102 when Mitchell went to the free-throw line with 1:19 left. Mitchell missed both attempts, and Maxey answered with a basket that pushed the lead back to six.
Philadelphia closed out the victory, completing a comeback that seemed highly unlikely midway through the second quarter.
Mitchell's 32 Points Not Enough
Mitchell finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 11-of-19 from the field. Mobley added 18 points and eight rebounds, while Harden contributed 16 points and five assists. Allen finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, and Mario Hezonja scored 10 in his Cleveland debut.
Maxey matched Mitchell with 32 points for Philadelphia, while Embiid scored 24 and Brown added 21. LeBron James finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists against his former team.
The difference between the two halves was staggering. After scoring 69 points before halftime, Cleveland managed just 37 in the second half, including only 16 in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers also committed 21 turnovers, giving Philadelphia additional opportunities to work its way back into the game.
Cleveland's shooting also disappeared down the stretch. The Cavaliers finished just 7-of-29 from three-point range, shooting 24.1% from beyond the arc. Philadelphia, meanwhile, scored 69 second-half points to turn a seemingly certain defeat into an eight-point victory.
The loss drops Cleveland to 0-1, while Philadelphia improves to 2-0. The Cavaliers will have to put Thursday's collapse behind them quickly, particularly after showing how well they can play during the opening half.
What's Next
Cleveland returns home Saturday, October 24, to face the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
