Cavaliers Winning Streak Snapped By 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers stop the Cleveland Cavaliers nine-game winning streak.
Cavaliers Winning Streak Snapped By 76ers
Cavaliers Winning Streak Snapped By 76ers /
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Everything good must come to an end. 

That includes the Cleveland Cavaliers' nine-game winning streak which was snapped by the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. The Cavs returned to Cleveland from a four-game road trip and couldn't overcome a 76ers team who were prepared to take on a surging Cleveland crew.

The Cavs did their best to make a late-game push which brought them within one point in the final 20 seconds, but the 76ers fended them off and clinched a 123-121 victory. 

Philadelphia was without their superstar center Joel Embiid, but credit where credit is due. This 76ers core came to play and gave the Cavaliers some real trouble, especially on offense. This team is deeper than just Embiid and this should be a notice to the rest of the NBA.

Tyrese Maxey played like a star and finished with 22 points on 43% (9-21) shooting. However, it was Kelly Oubre Jr. and Buddy Hield who combined for 48 points that really gave the Cavs problems. This duo hit shot after shot and stopped any Cleveland run before it started.

Feb 12, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoots over the defense of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

One notable absence for the Cavaliers was Dean Wade who was out with an illness. Cleveland has had the best defense in the NBA since the turn of the calendar and Wade has been an integral piece in that.

Clearly, Cleveland missed his impact.

It wasn't their effort that cost them this game. They nearly overcame a double-digit lead in the closing minutes and that started with their defense. Cleveland never believed they were out of it. 

Donovan Mitchell scored 36 points while Darius Garland scored 21 and tied a season-high with nine assists. Seeing DG thrive is certainly a positive takeaway even though the Cavs lost. 

The last time the Cavs lost was on January 24 to the Milwaukee Bucks. After that, they won nine straight. Time for Cleveland to start a new streak. 


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