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Sixers takeaways: Fight in the dog, Maxey leads again in loss to Cavs

by Keith Pompey
Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
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CLEVELAND – Paul George has to regain his offensive rhythm.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a lot of weapons. And the 76ers really missed Joel Embiid’s ability to slow down the tempo on Saturday.

Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 126-99 setback to the Cavs at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

Phil Long / AP

George’s struggles

Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

George had an off shooting night for the second consecutive game. He scored 11 points on 4-for-12 shooting one night after making just 2 of 12 shots in a home victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

The Cavs (25-4) have the NBA’s best record for a reason. They might have the league’s deepest roster and three 2025 All-Star candidates in Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. The three players all took over the game during a certain stretch. On Saturday, Cleveland had 10 players who made contributions.

Phil Long / AP

Missing Embiid

Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

Embiid didn’t travel here with the Sixers due to load management after playing on Friday. He’s arguably one of the top five players in the league in regards to dictating the flow of the game.

The Sixers would have tried to slow things down and put things through him in the half court. But without the 7-foot-2, 280-pounder, the Sixers had to play to the Cavs’ strengths.

Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
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