Cavaliers keep it close, fall to 76ers
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a chance to win, but Kevin Love was unable to make a wide open three-pointer in the final seconds.
Sometimes a wide open shot goes in, other teams it doesn’t. Kevin Love’s wide open three-pointer as the game ended did not go in. It is hard to fault the play or the shot. It was the shot the Cavaliers wanted and it did not go in.
Most statistics between the two teams were comparable on Tuesday. There was only one where there was a clear advantage for one team over the other. Fast break points. Philly nearly doubled Cleveland’s output on the fast break (25-13). Even with this difference, it was not the reason the Cavaliers lost. The Cavaliers lost because they were unable to score in the final three minutes. The failure to capitalize and put the game away at that point in the game is ultimately why they lost. Well, that and allowing Joel Embiid to get an easy dunk with 13.2 seconds left in the game.
Love, Clarkson, Sexton and Thompson led the Cavaliers
Kevin Love led the Cavaliers starters with 20 points and eight rebounds. Love did not have an effective shooting night (5-16 FGA, 2-7 3PT). Love had to deal with some tough defense from Philadelphia and it showed on his final line.
Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points off the bench as per usual. Clarkson made eight of 16 field goal attempts including 1-4 from deep. Clarkson continues to show why he is a valuable player off the bench for the Cavaliers.
Collin Sexton had a solid performance coming off his career-high scoring night on Sunday. Sexton finished with 18 points (8-18 FGA), five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Sexton did not make a three on the night, this snaps a three-game streak of making a three.
Did Tristan Thompson record a double-double? Of course he did! Thompson had 17 points and 12 rebounds on the night. This is Thompson’s eighth double-double in 10 games. This is not Tristan Thompson’s highlight though. The highlight? Tristan Thompson making two three-pointers.
Tristan Thompson came into this season without having made a three-pointer in his career. Thompson is currently 3-6 on the year. It is unlikely that the three will become an integral part of his game, but he is proving he can hurt you from time to time.
Cleveland previously won their two previous games in their red uniforms. This loss drops their record to 2-4 on the year.
Suddenly the red uniform seems like a better option than it did before, even with the loss on Tuesday.
