Cavaliers Stun 76ers 119-95 as James Struggles in Homecoming
LeBron James scored just eight points in his first game against Cleveland since joining Philadelphia, while Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers to a decisive win.
By Marco Whitaker ·
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 119-95 on Friday night, capping a difficult outing for LeBron James in his first regular season game back in Northeast Ohio. James, who signed with Philadelphia this past offseason after declining a third stint with Cleveland, finished with only eight points in 31 minutes of play.
James went 3 for 12 from the field and missed all four of his three-point attempts. Cavaliers fans booed him each time he touched the ball during the first half. He left the game with 3 minutes and 54 seconds remaining.
This marked only the 10th time in James’s 24-year career that he has scored in single digits in a regular season game. The Akron, Ohio native holds the NBA record for consecutive regular season games with at least 10 points, a streak of 1,297 games that ended last December in a win over Toronto.
Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points to lead the Cavaliers, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Evan Mobley added 22 points and seven rebounds. Mitchell also recorded eight assists in 33 minutes. James Harden contributed 17 points for Cleveland.
The 76ers shot just 36.5 percent from the field and 10 for 40 from three-point range. They have lost only twice in their first 10 games this season. Jaylen Brown led Philadelphia with 20 points, while VJ Edgecombe scored 19 and Tyrese Maxey added 17.
Joel Embiid missed all nine of his field goal attempts for the 76ers, though he shot 6 for 6 from the free-throw line. The Cavaliers out-rebounded Philadelphia by 14. Center Jarrett Allen sat out with a bruised right knee. Mario Hezonja provided 13 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, and Peyton Watson recorded nine rebounds after missing the last two games with hamstring tightness.
Cleveland led for most of the contest. The Cavaliers built a 46-30 lead with three minutes left in the second quarter following an alley-oop dunk by Mobley. Their lead reached 25 points in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers will host the New York Knicks on Saturday, while the 76ers travel to Chicago on Sunday.
