Section 215
Fansided

The Philadelphia 76ers defeat the Cavaliers in “The Battle for LeBron”

By Matty Breisch

(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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In a game with both postseason and free agency implications, the Philadelphia 76ers defeat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in commanding fashion.

In “The King’s War”, the Philadelphia 76ers just won the first battle, defeating the Cleveland Calivers at Quicken Loans Arena by a score of 108-97.

And it wasn’t even close.

After a week of distractions, including Three Billboards Outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and a highly contested visit to a private prep school, the 76ers let their play on the court speak volumes, and prove that they, in fact, have the greatest potential of any team in the Eastern Conference, and could be a high profile free agent away from competing for NBA Championships.

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Philly took the early two-point lead 36 seconds into the game on a layup by Ben Simmons, and the game may as well have been called right then and there, as Brett Brown‘s squad held that lead for the remainder of the game. Six 76ers scored in double digits, including all five starters and certified sixth man Marco Belinelli, with Robert Covington and Joel Embiid recording double-doubles.

Simply put, this was a team win.

Sure, Embiid and Simmons put on a show as usual, but all nine Sixers who entered the game made plays, including an uncharacteristic three from Amir Johnson, and some vintage taken charges from Ersan Ilyasova, in his first game back in red, white and blue since Febuary15th, 2017.

While it’s disappointing to see the last remnants of the Jahlil Okafor trade officially gone, as Trevor Booker was waived to accommodate Ilyasova’s roster spot, having the 6-foot-10 stretch four back in the fold is going to seriously bolster the team’s bench moving forward, especially when they need a three early in the fourth.

After playing well over the last three games, Richaun Holmes was back to a DNP against the Cavs, along with Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Jerryd Bayless, for the eighth straight game.

Though things did get interesting in the waning seconds of the game, after Jordan Clarkson threw the basketball at Dario Saric for a last-second dunk, this game was never close and should help to return some confidence to Sixers fans after a two-game skid.

Next: Come on Philly, get behind Lebron James

With this game now in the rearview, the LeBron James-less 76ers will return to the Wells Fargo Center to face off against Kemba Walker and Charlotte Hornets, as the owners of a 33-27 record. With the playoffs on the horizon, Philadelphia is becoming a destination for players interesting in winning games and competing for a chance to represent the East in the NBA Finals.