PHILADELPHIA — The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to an impressive start to the 2026-27 NBA season, taking a 69-45 lead into halftime against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.
Cleveland jumped out to a 35-18 lead in the opening quarter and continued to control the game in the second, outscoring Philadelphia 34-27. The Cavaliers' offense has been effective around the basket, while their defense has forced turnovers and made life difficult for the 76ers' talented lineup.
Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, and Jarrett Allen have led Cleveland's offensive effort, giving Philadelphia problems both inside and on the perimeter. The Cavaliers have also been aggressive defensively, disrupting possessions and preventing the 76ers from establishing a consistent offensive rhythm.
Philadelphia entered the night following a 106-100 victory over the defending champion New York Knicks in its season opener. But the 76ers, featuring James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey, have struggled to keep pace with Cleveland through the first 24 minutes.
The Cavaliers have put themselves in an excellent position to begin the season with a road victory. They'll need to maintain their defensive intensity and avoid allowing Philadelphia to build momentum in the second half.
