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00:00Субтитры делал DimaTorzok
00:30Welcome everyone to NBA Courtside presented by Michelob Ultra as we take a look at the standings at the Eastern Conference Philadelphia on a nice little run right now they're 22 and 16 the number five seed coming off a win a couple of nights ago in Toronto Cleveland meanwhile at 22 and 19 looking at a different story than the one they authored a season ago hello everybody I'm Mark Jones along with Tim Legler George Sedano joining us in just a moment let's start with the 76ers Tyrese Maxey is the leading
00:59scorer in the Eastern Conference Tim he came into the season ready to dominate offensively with or without Paul George and Joel Embiidon his playmakers have been extremely impactful well Jonesy he's gone from a first round steal to a nice piece to a scorer to now one of the most unstoppable offensive forces in the league he's getting it done every night and really it's the combination of that quick burst that he has to get downhill
01:29of floaters and runners that he can shoot off the glass on the move Tyrese Maxey has been on a mission this entire season and now I think he has made this Sixers franchise his own and there you see the gaudy scoring numbers of Tyrese Maxey when he's putting up this year obviously a career high
01:45that Troika is extremely productive and dangerous as we go down the road in the regular season meanwhile the Cleveland Cavaliers coming to the game the number seven seed we looked at the standings a moment ago Donovan Mitchell has been much more aggressive offensively this year Tim but it hasn't hurt his efficiency at all while still empowering all of his teammates well you're talking about another guard that's been putting up numbers in this league his entire career and even by his standards this is his best year career high in scoring career high in field goal percentage career high in field goal percentage career high in field goal
02:15career high in field goal sixty terceiro道 one of those guys that can catch fire in a game at any time and I'm really looking forward to see this matchup of two of the league most explosive scoring guards Cleveland played its best game of the season four nights ago two nights ago potentially as worst game of the season good news for Philadelphia big
02:36Big body bends Embiid, ready to bludgeon and burrow his way to the bucket tonight for the 76ers.
02:44Courtside continues on the other side of this break.
02:50NBA Courtside is presented by Michelob Ultra Zero.
02:54Zero alcohol, just 29 calories.
02:59MVP self in recent games here, Kendrick Perkins, as we welcome you inside our Los Angeles studio.
03:05I got to go to our big man to show some love to this big man.
03:08And I got to show some love and say that I was wrong because Joel Embiid is looking great.
03:14This is November the 8th, the start of the season.
03:16I want you to watch this.
03:17He catches me, takes Scottie Barnes off the dribble.
03:20No lift whatsoever.
03:22Scottie Barnes get the block off the glass.
03:24And right then we're wondering, can Joel Embiid continue to play at a high level?
03:28Does he have the lift?
03:30Then all of a sudden, January the 3rd, we see a little bunnies.
03:33But, hey, first dunk of the season.
03:35That was the first dunk of the season for him.
03:37So we see a progression.
03:39And then all of a sudden, Monday, boy, he wanted to smoke.
03:42One of his two dunks took off from out the docks.
03:46Watch this.
03:47You talk about snatching the screws out the rim.
03:49We're almost nine feet away from the basket.
03:51So if you're a Philadelphia 76ers fan, I know it's been a dark cloud over the city.
03:57I know the Eagles just lost.
03:59But you got Joel Embiid doing his thing and showing progression in those areas.
04:03You need to be excited.
04:04It's almost unheard of in the NBA to be able to superstar pivot.
04:08That's what the Sixers have done.
04:09They pivoted from one superstar to another.
04:12I voted for this guy to start the All-Star game today.
04:14Tyrese Maxey.
04:15Last seven games, Embiid, Paul George, Maxey.
04:18Six and one for Philly.
04:20Healthy Joel Embiid.
04:21This team is dangerous as you move into the second half of the season.
04:24Paul George is playing well, too.
04:2511 straight 20-point games for Joel Embiid.
04:28Can he add a 12th tonight?
04:30Time to get you out to Philadelphia.
04:44Mid-January marks the halfway point of the season.
04:48Time for a status check.
04:50Are you where you want to be?
04:51We're at a time where we're not just talking about it.
04:53We've got to just do it.
04:54Whether you're a veteran, a rookie, or a team with big dreams,
05:02you know what you need to move forward.
05:05So come on, baby, clap your face.
05:07I came to do my best.
05:09I got to shoot my shot.
05:11I got to take my chance.
05:14Beer's been cooking all night long.
05:16The first half of the season is in the rearview.
05:19Keep your foot on the gas.
05:21You know what I got?
05:22I got to give it to you.
05:23Welcome to NBA Wednesday, presented by State Farm from Philadelphia.
05:38Tonight, it's the second meeting of the season between the 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
05:43The Cavaliers taking the earlier run a couple of months ago.
05:47A game in which Donovan Mitchell had 46 points for the victors.
05:52As we take a look at tonight's starting lineups delivered by Taco Bell.
05:57Mitchell right there coming in, averaging just a hair under 30 points per game on about 50% from the field.
06:05The good news for the 76ers as we take a look at those starting lineups.
06:09Yes, Joel Embiid is in the starting lineup tonight.
06:12And has a streak of 11 consecutive games with 20 points or more.
06:19And that big three right now starting to gain some chemistry and momentum for the 76ers.
06:27Mark Jones courtside along with Tim Legler, George Sedano as well.
06:31And the Cavaliers will bring it across.
06:36Here's Garland in the backcourt.
06:39He'll match up against Edgecombe.
06:41Off the Mobley screen.
06:47Mitchell on the D.H.O.
06:50Raised it out to Garland from deep.
06:52And the Cavs on the board.
06:55That's a good sign for Cleveland right there.
06:57You get your double height screen action.
07:00And then a kick out to an open Garland.
07:02And he's been on a little bit of a roll here, finding his rhythm again, Josie.
07:05Still coming off that toe injury, trying to find his feet, literally and figuratively.
07:11Edgecombe to George.
07:14Got a mismatch against Garland.
07:16Goes up, draws the foul.
07:18Buy one, get one free for Paul George.
07:23That's great concentration.
07:24They saw the mismatch and they're going to go to Paul George.
07:27Obvious size advantage on Darius Garland.
07:29He's very patient right here.
07:30He doesn't go right away because Evan Mobley is on the edge of the lane.
07:33And once he felt Darius Garland reach in right there,
07:36he knew that he could take that basketball up, get the contact, and then get it to go.
07:41George coming off a 15-point game in their victory against Toronto a couple of nights ago.
07:45Added four rebounds and six dimes.
07:49Paul George spinning in comfortably, Tim, as the number three option now here in Philadelphia.
07:55Coming off an injury that he suffered in the summer as Mobley hits the middie.
07:59Evan Mobley averaging a hair under 18 points per game.
08:06Cleveland up 5-2, just underway.
08:08Here's Maxine.
08:09Garland going to be challenged big time defensively tonight.
08:13George cross-court.
08:16Edgecombe pulls it and knocks it down.
08:20I'll tell you what, he's just so confident right now.
08:23Had a blazing start to his rookie year.
08:25He pulled off a little bit later in November, and now he's back again.
08:29Almost 20 a night over the last 14 games as Cavaliers come right back with an answer.
08:34Jared Allen.
08:34Allen with that little jump hook makes it 7-5.
08:37He's averaging 14 a game.
08:39Cleveland undergoing a little bit different story than a season ago when they got out to a 15-0 start.
08:45Behind the back, it's back to Maxine.
08:50Embiid and Maxine playing some get game.
08:52Embiid off glass.
08:54Let's call it a pass to Barlow for the bucket.
08:58They were an assist.
08:59Yeah, they were intent on trying to get Maxine freed up with that high ball screen by Embiid.
09:03Ends up with Barlow taking advantage of the open opportunity on the offensive glass.
09:07Mitchell with the sweeping hook rattles it home.
09:10Boy, he's got everything.
09:12Man, he's got every shot in the bag right there.
09:16That might be the most difficult shot that Mitchell's going to take all night.
09:20Embiid taking fewer threes than he did to start the season.
09:25Knocks that one down.
09:26He's 23% from downtown, and he has just breached the 13,000-point barrier.
09:33Embiid gets on the deck.
09:35It goes to Carlin, out to Mobley.
09:37Sprays it out to Carlin, who started it all.
09:43And Allen with the follow.
09:48That's unfortunate for Philly.
09:50Embiid with the great hustle in the backcourt to dive on that ball.
09:53But then it just becomes a scramble, a chaotic possession.
09:56Cleveland moves the ball nicely.
09:58Nobody there to block out Allen.
10:00A little miscommunication there on the Philadelphia 76ers part.
10:04Maxine and Embiid.
10:04Those two have worked together very seamlessly, despite the absences of Embiid at times.
10:11Mitchell spins and pulls.
10:14Leaves that short.
10:15Looking like he got hit.
10:16Here's Maxie on the break.
10:20Barlow with the offensive rebound.
10:22Another opportunity for the 76ers.
10:23Actually around that punishing Embiid screen.
10:30Drives it right through Allen.
10:32Lost the handle.
10:33It'll be Cavaliers basketball.
10:35Yeah, Jared Allen that time does something that's really difficult to be backpedaling, absorb the contact, and be able to break down.
10:41He gets a piece of the ball off of Joel Embiid.
10:43You're seeing one of the top front-line defenders in the league at work on that possession.
10:49Out to Mitchell.
10:50Wide open from deep.
10:52That one comes off to Barlow.
10:53Loose ball.
10:54Cavaliers have possession.
10:57Mitchell.
10:58Off glass.
11:00And Donovan Mitchell off to a good start.
11:02He's got four points already.
11:03And he's so tough when he comes at you with a head of steam like that because he could go either direction with great balance.
11:10Embiid back out top to Edgecombe.
11:13Here's George.
11:16Ten on the clock.
11:19Barlow open.
11:20And that's going to be way short.
11:27Allen running the floor.
11:28Somebody hit the snooze bar.
11:31And Allen gets an easy one.
11:32Cavaliers leading by five.
11:34Looking to bounce back after maybe, Tim, their worst game of the season.
11:38A loss at home against the struggling Utah Jazz.
11:42And Kenny Atkinson was telling us in our pregame meeting with him that there have been times this year where he's had to press that button to get the team's attention.
11:51Although he says after that Utah game it wasn't one of those times.
11:54Yeah, he said they've been prone to a few letdowns this year when guys weren't playing or maybe they felt like they were playing, you know,
12:00one of those teams that's probably going to be in the lottery.
12:03It was weird in that one, Jonesy, because they just put up 146 on Minnesota the game before that.
12:09So you wouldn't expect that kind of flat performance against Utah.
12:12Allen got it blocked from behind.
12:16Out to Mitchell with 14 on the clock.
12:21Tyson sprints into the ball screen.
12:25Mobley on the show and go.
12:27And his jump hook connects.
12:29When Evan Mobley makes a concerted effort to score, Tim, this is a different team.
12:35Yeah, his level of aggressiveness is really a difference maker for this team.
12:39He's off to a great start.
12:40Cavaliers off to a great start.
12:48Welcome back to Philadelphia.
12:49The Cavs with an early lead here in the first quarter.
12:52The Philadelphia 76ers have been snakebitten by injuries for years now.
12:56Not the case anymore.
12:58Joel Embiid, the 2023 MVP, has played in nine of the last 11 games for Philly
13:03and averaging nearly 28 points per game.
13:06Sixers head coach Nick Nurse told us the thing that sticks out in Joel's recent play
13:10is how he's driving to the basket.
13:12And that's how you know he's feeling right.
13:14Meanwhile, Paul George has played in 10 of the last 11 games.
13:18And Nurse added that the nine-time All-Star is back to being an elite-level perimeter defender
13:23and playing a perfect complementary role offensively.
13:25So, whatever they need, he kind of provides.
13:29The thing that Nurse, though, was most proud of, guys,
13:31is how those two veterans have embraced Tyrese Maxey's ascension
13:35to being the primary scorer and the new face of the franchise.
13:38Maxey is the third-leading scorer in the entire NBA this season
13:41at just under 31 points per game.
13:43And Nurse mentioned it's rare to see in pro sports
13:46how genuinely happy these guys are for Tyrese to take the baton.
13:50It's a genuine testament to those guys' personalities
13:52and how beloved Maxey is in the locker room, Jonesy.
13:55That's a great point, George.
13:56Tim, we've seen throughout the decades following the NBA
13:58that that succession plan isn't always a smooth one, right?
14:02Not at all.
14:03Look, it's actually easier to ascend as a scorer the way Tyrese Maxey has
14:08than to get the acceptance of your teammates while you're doing it.
14:12But that's his personality type.
14:13There's not one ounce of ego or narcissism about Tyrese Maxey's game.
14:17Might be the happiest player in the NBA.
14:20Inside, whistle and a foul.
14:21Going to go against the 76ers.
14:23Somebody had a hold of Allen.
14:25It'll go against the rookie, B.J. Edgecombe.
14:28That's going to be his first personal foul.
14:32First team foul against the 76ers
14:34as Hunter and Merrill come into the ballgame for the Cavaliers.
14:39Mobley and Mitchell will get a breather.
14:41Kelly Oubre also comes into the ballgame for Dominic Barlow.
14:50As does Walker for the 76ers.
14:53And you'll see they go with Garland and Allen
14:55when you're going to go with the one big this first combination
14:58because they like the way they operate this two-man game.
15:02The pocket passes by Garland to Allen are more readily available.
15:06It's going to be a whistle and a foul against Oubre
15:07who just checked into the ballgame.
15:09Great conversation with Garland
15:11who is still battling that preseason injury,
15:15that toe injury at surgery during the offseason
15:18and still trying to find his rhythm.
15:21Toe injuries always sound somewhat cute and harmless,
15:24but they are anything but.
15:26He tells us he's only at, what, about 70%?
15:2970%.
15:29And you know what that does in a league like this?
15:31That means there's another 50 guys
15:32that can stay with you off the dribble
15:34when you lose 30%.
15:36That's a pretty good 70, though.
15:37That looks pretty good right there.
15:38And the numbers are picking up.
15:40And you can see it, the look in his face.
15:43He's playing with a little bit more comfort out there,
15:45even though he may be dealing with this the rest of the season.
15:49Out top Embiid hands it off to Maxi.
15:52Merrill defending him.
15:54Tough shot by Tyrese, who knocks it down.
15:57He is so good with those same hands, same foot, floaters, and layups.
16:04Hunter back home in Philadelphia,
16:07trying to rediscover his shooting touch.
16:09Tyson back out to Hunter on the reload.
16:13Used all of the iron, did a victory lap, and fell.
16:16And that's a relief right there.
16:17Not only for DeAndre Hunter, I think for Kenny Atkinson as well,
16:21as DeAndre Hunter has really struggled from deep,
16:24certainly by his own standard that he has set throughout his NBA career from out there.
16:28They empty out the side for Embiid.
16:30Now they tilt the floor.
16:32The double team comes.
16:34And he gets called for a traveling violation.
16:38So off the turnover, it'll be Cavaliers basketball.
16:41That's the fifth turnover already for Philadelphia.
16:47As Craig Porter Jr. comes into the ballgame for Tyson.
16:50You know, I saw that last shot by Hunter bounce,
16:53what, four times on the rim?
16:54The basketball gods only won.
16:56That's the way I used to look at those.
16:58If I was struggling and you got one to roll in,
17:00he had that shot on layaway.
17:02Garland with a three ball makes it 25-12.
17:07Cleveland in the middle of a 16-2 sprint right now.
17:11Well, this is what he represents.
17:13I mean, he's elite.
17:14Off the dribble with his start-stop, but he can also do this.
17:17If you want to go under ball screens,
17:20Darius Garland can stop out to 28, 30 feet easily and let it fly.
17:25He's in a good rhythm here at the start.
17:27On the fadeaway, comes off Edgecombe.
17:30Had to go out of bounds.
17:31It'll be Cleveland basketball.
17:35Avalier is off to a good start here.
17:36Shooting 61% from the field.
17:41Off the Allen screen.
17:43That pass coming in a little bit hot.
17:44Here's Porter Jr.
17:47To a cutting merrill.
17:49Hunter on the baseline.
17:51Shot clock down to five.
17:53Porter Jr. spins.
17:55Well defended by Maxie.
17:57And they get the stop.
18:03Actually, just one of three from the field so far.
18:05Back out to Embiid.
18:07And he walked again.
18:08That's the sixth turnover for Philadelphia.
18:11Not sure if Joel Embiid is frustrated with the caller himself, but that was clearly a trap.
18:18He shuffled both feet before he put it down just a little bit too much of a hurry to get it going.
18:25He sets the screen.
18:25He wants to pop.
18:26He wants to attack the closeout.
18:28You can see right there.
18:28Both feet move before that basketball is put down with his right hand.
18:33That's an easy call.
18:35That game action has been very prolific for the 76ers this year with those two.
18:40Embiid sits down.
18:41A Dembona comes in.
18:43Hunter bludging his way into the paint and scores.
18:46It's a good sign for him.
18:49And a nice offensive blow.
18:50It's 27-12.
18:52He's a vital piece.
18:53He does so many things defensively and is a rebounder at the small forward spot to help you win.
18:57And when he's contributing that 15-18 consistently, they're a different team.
19:02A look at the high-flying rookie, Vijay Edge, come out of Baylor.
19:06Porter Jr. goes Dwayne out to Hunter in rhythm from deep.
19:10That's another one for DeAndre Hunter.
19:1630-14, and he's 3-4 from the field.
19:19That's that T-shirt that was pretty popular around who hits a Philly thing for a while.
19:23That's what DeAndre Hunter's looking like right now.
19:25He likes playing here, likes coming back home, and he has a big smile on his face right now,
19:30which is good to see for Kenny Atkinson because of the struggles he's had.
19:34Max, he picked up his dribble in trouble, and he found the bucket.
19:39Wow.
19:3914-point lead for the Cavaliers.
19:44They run an empty corner two-man game.
19:46Porter Jr., one more to Mitchell, one more.
19:49That's the hot guy.
19:51Left that one on the front rim, retrieved it.
19:53Mitchell from deep.
19:54That's going to be off.
19:56And another opportunity from Mobley.
19:58Hunter, two for a quarter.
20:00Not quite.
20:0176ers dodge one.
20:06Oubre.
20:08Walker from the wing.
20:10And one and done for Philadelphia.
20:12Sixers shooting just 54%.
20:17Cavs with seven offensive rebounds already.
20:23Mitchell off the screen.
20:25Sprays it out to Hunter.
20:26They are finding him.
20:28Couldn't oblige that time, and we're going to have a foul underneath.
20:35DeAndre Hunter finding his shooting touch here in Philadelphia on his homecoming.
20:41The NBA on ESPN is presented all season long by State Farm.
20:47Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
20:49And in part by Jim Beam.
20:51Best enjoyed together.
20:53Best enjoyed responsibly.
20:55And Burger King, you rule.
20:59Welcome back to Philadelphia.
21:01Time for today's DraftKings Sportsbook Player Pulse.
21:05DeAndre Hunter averaging a little over 13 points per game of the season tonight with
21:09Nathan Edgecombe, the rookie out of Baylor.
21:1216 per so far with five in the ballgame.
21:16DeAndre Hunter with eight points in four minutes.
21:18So he still pays for 52 when he plays 26.
21:22Good quick math.
21:23DraftKings is the number one sportsbook for live betting.
21:25Use promo code SPLASH when you sign up.
21:28Here's Watford.
21:34Hands it off to Maxie.
21:36Bonus sprints into the ball screen.
21:41Merrill trying to contain Maxie.
21:43Four on the clock.
21:44That one comes off to Hunter.
21:47Boy, we're talking about Hunter.
21:49He's got seven jacks already in just five minutes.
21:52Stats that Tim Legler would certainly be proud of.
21:55Not after my own heart right there.
21:56There's Grimes in the ballgame off the turnover.
22:02That's the first turnover for the Cavs.
22:04Maxie draws the hit on Merrill who's holding his hand.
22:08Maxie, meanwhile, will go to the foul line for a couple of shots.
22:11And that's the call right there that more and more star players get.
22:18And Tyrese Maxie now is getting that level of respect on those drives.
22:21When you get just one shoulder on a defender,
22:24if you're able to feel any contact at that point,
22:27jump, get something in the air, up toward the backboard,
22:31more often than not you're going to get a whistle.
22:33Tyrese Maxie getting to the line more.
22:35Hey, let's take a look at the upcoming national TV schedule.
22:38Prime video tomorrow night has the Grizzlies against the Magic
22:41at 2 o'clock Eastern time in Berlin.
22:45Oklahoma City Thunder take it on Houston at 7.30 p.m. Eastern time.
22:48Knicks Warriors at 10 p.m. Eastern.
22:50ESPN Friday has the rematch of this one at 7.
22:54Pulled by Timberwolves Rockets at 9.30 for more of these games.
22:57Please go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
23:01Porter Jr. out to Hunter.
23:02Drives it on Oubre.
23:03Mobley on the baseline.
23:05Skip pass.
23:06One more.
23:07That's the guy you want shooting, not the desired result.
23:12Hunter thought about it.
23:13Depers to Barrow.
23:15His floater comes off.
23:17And a Dembona with the rebound.
23:20Quickly up to Grimes.
23:21Drives it.
23:22And smoked the layup.
23:24Here's Mitchell.
23:26Well, everything's the buck for the buck at that time.
23:28And when you get it.
23:29When you shoot it with your right hand coming in from the left side,
23:31sometimes you can put too much English on it.
23:34That's what Quinton Grimes did.
23:36And that's what the price you pay.
23:37When you miss a layup and you've got a bunny on one end,
23:40oftentimes you get caught in a cross match.
23:42You don't match up in transition.
23:44And the Cavaliers make them pay.
23:45Merrill hits the three.
23:46He's got a streak of three games with three or more threes.
23:50Maxey.
23:51A logo three.
23:52That comes off.
23:54Right to Merrill.
23:5717 seconds to go in the opening 12 minutes.
23:59Cleveland in control by 15 points so far.
24:05Mitchell out top.
24:07Out to Hunter.
24:11Pulls the three.
24:13Rattles halfway down and out.
24:15Oubre with the rebound.
24:16And that's the end of the first quarter of play.
24:18The Cavaliers leading three of the three to 18 on 47% from the field.
24:25Back after this.
24:26Welcome back to NBA Wednesday presented by State Farm.
24:32We're here with Evan Mobley of the Cavs.
24:34You guys jumped out to a nice lead here.
24:36What was working for you guys?
24:37I think we were pushing the pace.
24:39We got to our spots, got good spacing, and just made the right decisions.
24:43Now, we know Maxey, Embiid, Paul George, those guys can get going at any given moment.
24:47How do you guys handle them defensively?
24:50We just got to play as a group, keep showing help as much as possible,
24:53and make them take tough shots.
24:55Evan, thank you.
24:55Good luck.
24:56Yeah, appreciate it.
24:56Jonesy?
24:57Well, Paul George just knocked down a tough shot on the corner three.
25:01Story of the first quarter, Jonesy, was this simple.
25:04Cleveland Cavaliers had 30 field goal attempts.
25:06The Sixers had 16.
25:08That's because the Cavs took care of the ball,
25:10and they had eight offensive rebounds in that quarter.
25:13Philly's got to clean that up.
25:14Alonzo Ball misfires from the baseline.
25:1776ers with a season-low 18 points in that previous quarter.
25:22George inside.
25:24Watford.
25:24Little uphill DHO action to Edgecombe for three.
25:30Wow, he overcooked that one.
25:33Bona with a rebound, five on the shot clock.
25:35A Dembona going strong to the bucket.
25:38He draws to him.
25:38I'm not sure there's a player in this league that plays with more energy consistently in the minutes he gets in a Dembona.
25:46He's just always in the middle of the action when he's out there.
25:50And, of course, with Embiid off the floor, Nick Nurse has choices now.
25:53Is he going to go with Andre Drummond?
25:55Is he going to go with Bona?
25:57He said, typically, if Embiid doesn't play, he likes Drummond in that starting role with all that veteran experience.
26:02But as reserve minutes are available, that could be more Bona with the athleticism that he gives you and the quickness.
26:09But Drummond, one of the all-time great rebounders this league has seen.
26:12Yeah, it wasn't that long ago that he was averaging a double-double.
26:16Meanwhile, Bona on the floor right now with 65% free-throw shooter.
26:2076ers trying to claw their way back into this ballgame, down by 10 now.
26:27It's ball Hunter, Mobley, Mitchell, and Porter Jr. for the Cavaliers.
26:34Mitchell splits the double.
26:37Hunter after making his first three shots.
26:40Missed his next view.
26:40Mobley hits down the long two.
26:44You know, they've been trying to empower him, especially at the offensive end,
26:49as George tries to counter and does from downtown.
26:53Yeah, this is Paul George's time right now.
26:55When you get this run with Embiid and Maxey both on the bench at the start of the second quarter,
26:59they like to put the ball in Paul George's hands a little bit more.
27:03Oh, nice ball fake by Porter Jr.
27:04Couldn't cash out.
27:06Goes out of bounds.
27:07It'll stay at that end.
27:08Cleveland ball.
27:09Yeah, Paul George, in a very comfortable spot on this team right now,
27:13just had already hit one.
27:15So you know now he's going to walk into that dribble handoff,
27:18and he's going to be anticipating a shot back-to-back threes,
27:23getting the Sixers back in and cutting into this lead.
27:25at that arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in mid-July.
27:31Delayed the start of the season for him.
27:33Here's Mitchell.
27:35Tried to rip through against Grimes.
27:39Seven on the shot clock.
27:40That high gather, which is a patented move, and he gets it to Vol.
27:44First bucket of the quarter for Cleveland.
27:49They lead by 11.
27:52Bona inside, got fouled on the ground.
27:56Look at this move by Donovan Mitchell.
27:58He is an array of finishes.
28:00Yeah, he and Maxie, so similar in this regard.
28:03Like, their ability right there, I couldn't tell if Grimes hit the ball right there.
28:08Could have been up and down.
28:10But Mitchell, he's so good at the touch shots, the floaters,
28:15while he's going full speed toward the basket from awkward distances.
28:19Those 8- to 10-foot shots on those kind of floaters are incredibly difficult,
28:24particularly along the baseline with no depth perception behind you.
28:30Officials discussing what's to follow.
28:35Bona will go to the free throw line.
28:37But back to Donovan Mitchell.
28:38You know, speaking with one of the coaches for the Cavaliers prior to the game,
28:42we're talking about just how great he is at being accountable
28:45as the superstar face of the franchise.
28:47In a recent film session, where sometimes it's easy, Tim,
28:52you know this to be true, to not criticize the star player,
28:55Donovan is the first to hold himself accountable
28:57when talking about offensive rebounds in said film session.
29:02He jumped in and said,
29:03Coach, don't worry about the offensive rebound.
29:06That was a bad shot I took.
29:07So he makes it a little bit easier for Kenny Atkinson
29:10and the rest of the staff sometimes.
29:14Bona knocks down the second free throw.
29:16He has four points in the ball.
29:17Mitchell's efficiency has been off the charts this year.
29:24Fifty percent and almost 30 per game.
29:28Good defense by George, though.
29:31Eight on the shot clock for Mobley.
29:36Playing with his food out there.
29:39Tough shot.
29:39And the Sixers get the stop.
29:42Etchcombe on the break.
29:47Relocates for three.
29:50Bona battling underneath, but it comes off to Mitchell.
29:53Quickly up the ball and now Hunter.
29:56Sixers back defensively in transition.
29:58Here's Mobley.
30:04Back to ball.
30:05Open for three.
30:06This one falls.
30:09Bona so far was a big acquisition for them in the summertime.
30:12He was, and it's really not about his scoring, and that's a bonus right now with ball.
30:17If he is out there on the floor pushing pace, he's going to reward guys,
30:22and he plays the tempo that Kenny Atkinson thinks is best for his team.
30:27Ball fits right into that.
30:28Winton Grimes misfires.
30:32The league's still at 12 for Cleveland.
30:37Mobley in rhythm from deep.
30:40And Watford surveys.
30:46George gets Mobley on the wing.
30:50Jabs him and pulls the three.
30:53Contact underneath, no whistle.
30:56Cleveland has numbers if they choose.
30:58Mitchell piercing the paint and gets the layup.
31:01You just cannot backpedal against Donovan Mitchell in a casual state.
31:06You've got to be shoulder to shoulder because if he sees any gap,
31:10he's got that base that he can get in there, and he's so strong
31:13and on balance at all times around the rim.
31:15That's a poor job defensively in transition by the Sixers.
31:19Watford from downtown laces the three.
31:24Watford is on the board.
31:28The defense by Edgecombe to blow up that wide action.
31:34Here's Ball.
31:35Mitchell again fighting against Edgecombe.
31:38Mobley gets that one to cash out.
31:43Evan Mobley, four of six.
31:45He's got nine in the game, too.
31:46And look, they take 42 at night, which is third in the league as a team.
31:49They're going to get over 50 at this rate.
31:51They're already at 19 with seven and a half minutes to go in the first half.
31:56One and done for the 76ers.
32:00Watford with 45 on the board already.
32:02Mitchell lost it to George and commits the foul, too.
32:06One and done for the six for basketball, down by 14 as Embiid checks back into the ballgame for Philadelphia.
32:16As does Jared Allen and Darius Garland and Jalen Tyson.
32:20That was a better job defensively by Philly, anticipating.
32:24Mitchell was going to go to his right hand there in that little semi-transition.
32:28Cut him off pretty well.
32:29And one of the few times you'll see him stumble or lose balance.
32:32And it was just too much traffic in there.
32:34Couldn't make a play.
32:36Cleveland with three team fouls.
32:38Philadelphia doesn't have any yet.
32:40With 7.20 to go in the second quarter.
32:44Watford on the handle.
32:47Into George.
32:50Draws the foul.
32:52And a little window shopping for PG-13.
32:57Now he's so patient when he gets an opportunity right here.
33:03He likes to operate out of the mid post.
33:06He's surveying the defense right there.
33:07And it's very similar to the basket he made earlier against Darius Garland.
33:11If he senses that you're going to reach forward with that arm.
33:15And it's going to be in that area where he can take the basketball straight up through it.
33:19He's going to earn the contact.
33:20And then you've got to have the concentration to stay with the shot.
33:23And earn just one free throw instead of two.
33:27George, an 87% foul shooter.
33:31Completes the three-point play.
33:34Lead down to 11.
33:36He's got 11 in the ballgame.
33:37Allen and Merrill rips through against Max E off glass.
33:47And it comes off the grind.
33:53Sixers can get it under double digits.
33:55We're going to go against Merrill here.
33:59They found a matchup.
34:00George with a nice step through.
34:02Couldn't finish Embiid with the offensive rebound.
34:05Pump fakes.
34:06Got it packed.
34:07Right back to George.
34:08One more.
34:09Edgecombe.
34:11And Tomlin corrals the ball for the Cavs.
34:14And you can see some of the limitations of Joel Embiid on that offensive rebound.
34:18He just is reluctant to go ahead and jump explosively.
34:22Really stay grounded.
34:23And the Cavs able to block that putback attempt.
34:25And Merrill, had he been about a foot and a half taller, he'd have made that catch.
34:31Instead, it's a turnover.
34:33With 6.16 to go in the first half.
34:36Kenny Atkinson screwed up 45-34 when we come back.
34:40Well, the Sixers have had some issues defensively against Cleveland.
34:47But on their end, offensively, I think it starts with trying to get Joel Embiid involved.
34:52You saw a couple of travels early, rushing things on the perimeter.
34:56And then, here, offensive rebound opportunity.
34:59And you just see the lack of explosiveness around a couple of defenders in the paint.
35:05Philadelphia's top guys right now off to a slow start.
35:08Not just Joel Embiid.
35:09Tyrus Maxey sitting here with just six points, six minutes to go in the half.
35:13So, they need to turn things around defensively.
35:15I think they've done a better job in the second quarter.
35:17Now, let's see if they can get their two stars going offensively.
35:21Jared McCain coming into the ballgame.
35:23Second-year player out of Duke.
35:25And being isolated on the wing against Allen.
35:29That one falls.
35:30That's a nice touch.
35:31I mean, that's where that size and that shooting touch, it just defies logic.
35:35But he's squaring him up.
35:36If he gets space, that's a very easy 18-foot jump shot for Joel Embiid.
35:41He'll take that every time.
35:42He's got five in the ballgame.
35:43Garland counters.
35:44Lacing the three.
35:47And Cleveland back up by 12.
35:55Embiid and Maxey.
35:58Maxey pulls the three and knocks it home.
36:00That's a tough situation there for Merrill.
36:04You know, you're talking about dribble handoff with Embiid.
36:07It's a wide screen to run around.
36:09And if you're late against Maxey, give him that kind of time.
36:12He's going to shoot that at a very high rate.
36:1448% from the three in January.
36:16But here you see.
36:17Merrill, like, there just gets clipped enough.
36:20And with Jared Allen back at the foul line,
36:22Maxey knew that he was going to come off with plenty of clearance.
36:25That's one of the big focuses of his training this summer
36:29was being able to shoot off the dribble.
36:32Especially the three ball.
36:34Completing it at about 40% on the season.
36:37Garland tried to hit the pocket.
36:38The pass deflected.
36:40And here's Paul George.
36:43George lost the handle out of bounds.
36:46It'll stay at that end.
36:47Philadelphia basketball.
36:50He had McCain open in the opposite corner.
36:52McNerth looking for a foul on the grab
36:54as Mobley gets ready to come back into the ballgame for Cleveland.
37:065-0-7 to go in the first half.
37:13Oubre.
37:15To Embiid.
37:17Rips through.
37:18No whistle.
37:19Mobley.
37:20Garland.
37:20Two-on-one.
37:22Blocked by George.
37:23But a foul committed on the play.
37:26And Embiid.
37:28Looking for a whistle at the other end.
37:32Nick Nurse.
37:33All the way out on the floor.
37:36But when the dust settles,
37:37Darius Garland will go to the free throw line.
37:40There's the play in question.
37:41Which led to the pass break.
37:45Back after this break.
37:46Coming up next on ESPN, the second game of our double dip.
37:56The Nuggets play the back end of a two-game road trip against the Mavs.
38:01Cooper Flagg.
38:02Rookie of the Year candidate.
38:04He does so many different things for that Mavericks team.
38:07Meanwhile, let's take one more look at that rip-through move by Embiid, which wasn't whistled as a foul, Tim.
38:14Yeah, to do be fair, this is called all the time.
38:16I mean, that's why Joel Embiid's frustrated.
38:18He's so used to getting that call.
38:19We see that called quite frequently.
38:22He definitely got raked across his wrist, particularly his left arm, going up on the shot.
38:27So, again, he's so used to getting that call as a guy that's been one of the high-volume free throw shooters in this league for a long time.
38:35I think that's why he was surprised and frustrated.
38:39Meanwhile, the Cavaliers shooting their first free throws of the game.
38:42You know, Darius Garland telling us prior to the game tonight that when I asked him about his injured toe,
38:47he is wearing a special orthotic in that shoe to compensate for that toe surgery that he had.
38:55And he's a toe spacer that gives his foot a little bit more comfort when he continues to recover from it.
39:02Twelve points in the ballgame for him.
39:06Embiid wide open, and he knocks it down.
39:10Somebody went to sleep there, Tim.
39:11Yeah, all kinds of space right there.
39:13Joel Embiid even surprised when he caught that and turned around and saw no one rotating to him.
39:18So the two easiest shots he's had tonight in that 15-foot range.
39:23Lead is down to eight, under four and a half to go.
39:25Tyson rejected by Embiid.
39:29There's the defensive component by the former MVP, Maxey.
39:34And Merrill with the ball.
39:36That's a great sign for Joel Embiid at the Sixers because he's been reluctant to add that last level of rim protection,
39:42particularly when he's backpedaling.
39:44His ability to get off the ground hasn't really been there, but he did it on that last one.
39:48Catch and shoot by Merrill.
39:49That one on the front rim, back out to Tyson.
39:52His floater is short.
39:55And he throws it away.
39:56Nobody home.
39:59And this is what I'm talking about.
40:00Even Nick Nurse alluded to it for the game.
40:03The explosiveness and willingness just haven't been there.
40:05That's a difficult play right now for Joel Embiid to make it.
40:09He's been making it throughout his career to jump and then stay with it in the air long enough as Tyson tried to switch hands.
40:16Big-time rejection by Joel Embiid.
40:19George.
40:21Back to Embiid on the pick and pop.
40:24And rebounded by the Cavaliers.
40:26Joel Embiid tonight.
40:27Three of seven from the field.
40:28He's got seven points.
40:29Vogel.
40:31Carlin drives it immediately.
40:33Float game.
40:35Used all the iron and got another one.
40:37He got a lot of jelly in his game, folks.
40:40Fourteen points.
40:41And that was a lightning-quick attack on that ball reversal.
40:45He wasted no time.
40:47He's already tough enough to guard without a head of speed,
40:49but he was already moving toward the basket on the catch.
40:52Impossible to keep him in front.
40:55And the corner of a Kane.
40:56Working against Carlin.
40:58Good defense by Carlin.
40:59And they get the stop.
41:01Mobley underneath.
41:02Fouled by Embiid, who got hit in the face.
41:10Wasn't that long ago that Joel had to wear a mask?
41:13Remember he was wearing that mask?
41:15I think it was last year.
41:16He's had a couple different facial fractures in the course of his career.
41:21And he takes a left hand right there from Mobley, fighting for the basketball.
41:26Inadvertent for sure.
41:28But he definitely got hit in the face.
41:29Yeah, Arthur Embiid's dad having a tough time tonight with physicality.
41:3976ers and Nick Nurse going to challenge the call on the floor.
41:43We'll get the adjudication of the call after this break.
41:45Welcome back if you want to Philadelphia, Cleveland up by 10.
41:53Let's take one more look at the call that's being challenged on the floor.
41:56The call was a foul against Joel Embiid on that play.
42:00He also took a shot to the face from Evan Mobley.
42:03I mean, to me, each other at the same time.
42:07Yeah, it's really a timing issue.
42:09And I think Mobley's left arm caught Embiid in the face.
42:12You know, a fraction of a second first.
42:14Therefore, this is going to be overturned to a loose ball foul on Mobley.
42:18The challenge is successful.
42:22Play will resume with two free throws for Embiid on the penalty.
42:27So successful challenge by the 76ers resulting in two free throws for Joel Embiid.
42:35Talk about bang-bang plays.
42:37This literally was a bang-bang play.
42:38Both guys exchanging a couple of blows.
42:41But it was just slightly before Embiid reached across Mobley's body and hit him in the face.
42:48And Mobley's left arm caught Joel Embiid in the head as he was trying to secure that rebound.
42:53I think they got this one right.
42:56But look at the stats on Embiid in the last 11 games, folks.
43:0028 per.
43:02Over eight rebounds.
43:05And we've seen signs tonight even of his increased agility and strength, especially at the defensive end.
43:13The thing that he really was not doing at all his first 8-10 games
43:17was going from point A to point B on the back line of defense,
43:21covering, you know, 6-8-10 feet like centers do,
43:24and then exploding off the ground to offer rim to turn.
43:27Seeing a little bit more of that lately.
43:30Still doesn't have a lot of lift around the basket offensively,
43:34so most of his production still coming on short jump shots and at the foul line.
43:39Garland rejects the screen, sprays it out to the wing.
43:42Mobley on the drive up top, cut off by Barlow.
43:46Mobley dragged his pivot footing, it's wishing for the first travel.
43:50A good defense by the 76ers.
43:54Barlow and Bona, both of those guys, have done a great job on Evan Mobley
43:59when he's trying to take them off the dribble,
44:01beating him to this spot, and they've got enough size, you know,
44:04to guard that 6'11 length.
44:06Here's Maxey, off the Embiid screen.
44:14Maxey, great pocket pass.
44:16Embiid on the show and go, gets it to fall.
44:22That's the part of the game that Tyrese Maxey was working on all summer,
44:26how to control that pocket.
44:28Inside Mobley with a tough catch, one more.
44:35Allen and one.
44:37What wonderful interior passing legs.
44:39Yeah, two passes there made on the interior,
44:41one off the penetration and then a big-to-big.
44:44Jared Allen just finding that open pocket in front of the rim
44:47and just waiting it out.
44:48So the first one is here by Garland.
44:50This is a tough pass along the baseline
44:52that gets Barlow and Embiid to react to it.
44:56Two defenders run to the first pass.
44:58Jared Allen just waiting for one more find,
45:01and he gets a three-point opportunity.
45:04Fails to complete the three-point play.
45:06Their lead remains eight.
45:08Embiid has scored the last six in a row for the 76ers.
45:11Let's see if Embiid gets a touch here off the wide action.
45:14It's Maxey.
45:16Again, off the Embiid screen.
45:18Again, out of the pocket.
45:20Embiid fouled by Tyson.
45:22So it was rinks and repeat offensively,
45:25and Embiid will go back to the free-throw line.
45:28Great discernment here by Maxey.
45:35This is the part of the game that he worked on this summer.
45:38Yeah, patient right there with the footwork.
45:39He does that little 180 spin to get Tyson confused
45:43on which direction he was going,
45:45and that allowed Embiid to have some space
45:48because of the big hovering to help on Maxey.
45:52Embiid had that big pocket of space that he quickly took up
45:55and then drew the contact.
45:58Embiid at the free-throw line, an 85% free-throw shooter.
46:02He's starting to find his offensive rhythm here in the second quarter.
46:05Our AFC Divisional Round matchup is set for Sunday afternoon.
46:09The Texans taking on second-seeded Patriots at 2.45 p.m. Eastern
46:13on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and the ESPN app.
46:18Coverage begins with postseason NFL countdown at noon Eastern on ESPN.
46:23And, Jonesy, right now the free-throw line has kept the Sixers in the game.
46:27I mean, this is now their 11th-made free-throw.
46:30Cleveland just one for three from the line.
46:32So Philly a plus 10 at the free-throw line, only down six.
46:38Mobley.
46:41Hunter back in the ballgame.
46:42Back to Mobley inside.
46:44That sweeping jump hook counted and won.
46:48Talked about it, but Mobley, Tim, and Joe,
46:51just how they've tried to force-feed him and empower him.
46:54Yeah, you saw in the second half of last year,
46:56I thought, just take another step with his assertiveness offensively.
47:01It's a really nice read.
47:02The screen, and then you see so many bigs setting the screen
47:05on that area of the floor and popping out to the three-point line.
47:08He realized that he had an opportunity to get a seal
47:11and then that quick dive into the middle of the lane.
47:13And then he's got that nice jump hook.
47:15He's seven feet tall, and when he extends on that jump hook,
47:18you're not getting a piece of that.
47:19He invited his Cavalier teammates out to Los Angeles
47:22to work out and have informal workouts in August.
47:26This past summer, they spent about five days out there
47:28doing two-a-days and going up and down five-on-five.
47:32Slap in some bones, playing dominoes,
47:34getting some team bonding done.
47:38And Bede, right back to it from the nail.
47:41That one a little bit strong.
47:42Mobley with the board with one and a half to go.
47:49Mobley on the bounce.
47:51Got him beat in the air.
47:52Didn't go up with it.
47:54Garland off of Allen's hand,
47:57and here come the 76ers down eight.
47:59George, one more to the corner.
48:04And Hunter with the board.
48:09Garland, Mobley, whistle, and an offensive foul underneath
48:13as Allen ran over Paul George.
48:16Boy, that was the beginning of some beautiful ball movement
48:19there on the part of the Cats.
48:20I think it was four different passes,
48:22and they were barely over half court.
48:24But Jared Allen, unfortunately,
48:27was not able to put the brakes on
48:28as he cut down the lane.
48:29And nice job defensively to draw that offensive foul.
48:33Read Kenny Atkinson's lips.
48:34He said, how can you call that?
48:36How can you call that?
48:38Mobley with the rebound off the George miss.
48:4148 seconds to go in the first half.
48:44Cavaliers.
48:4649% from the field.
48:48Garland against the rookie now.
48:50Mobley got downhill, and that's how you finish.
48:56This summer, he worked on running a lot of inverted pick
48:59and roll with him as the ball handler.
49:02And he's pretty smooth with it, Tim, as a big, right?
49:05I mean, we've seen him do it at times.
49:07It really is.
49:08And, like, he worked so well with Garland.
49:11Did most of the work on that last possession,
49:13and there was just a vacuum there on that dribble handoff
49:15to allow Mobley to get to the rim.
49:18Mitchell out front.
49:19Conspicuous by his silence offensively.
49:21He's got eight.
49:24Double-teamed out to Hunter.
49:26A high-arcing three.
49:27Butter.
49:29His fourth field goal makes it a 13-point lead for the Cavs.
49:36Maxey in a rush.
49:37Mobley blocked it at the buzzer.
49:40So, Mobley doing it at both ends.
49:45That's the end of the first half.
49:46Coming up on the halftime, the Hyundai halftime,
49:53presented by Hyundai Palisade.
49:57Malika, Brian, Coach, and Perk.
50:02Now, Denver has stayed afloat without Joker.
50:05Mobley with a big first half.
50:10And Bede found his way in the second quarter.
50:13Malika and the crew coming up in just a bit.
50:17And Darius Garland having his way in the first half.
50:19Welcome to NBA halftime, presented by Hyundai Palisade.
50:28All right, at the break, it is the Cleveland Cavaliers that lead the 76ers 60-47 here.
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