Hezonja’s Cavaliers bring 76ers down to earth on LeBron’s visit to Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 119-95 this Friday in the group stage of the NBA Cup in the return of LeBron James to Cleveland, for the first time since he decided to sign for the 76ers team.

Bahamian VJ Edgecombe opened the scoring with a dunk for the 76ers, but the Cavaliers responded with a 15-0 run that LeBron James ended after almost five blank minutes.

The 76ers never took the lead again this Friday in Ohio, although they came close in the third quarter, after getting within just two points (67-65) with another basket by LeBron.

A James Harden triple immediately after gave way to a 52-30 run. until the final horn in favor of the Cavaliers, who enjoyed a maximum advantage of 25 points.

In addition to knocking out the 76ers in the NBA Cup, where a loss can be very expensive, the Cavaliers ended Philadelphia’s five-game winning streak, which had only lost to the Detroit Pistons and has a record of 8-2.

Donovan Mitchell completed the game with 23 points, Evan Mobley with 22, James Harden with 17 and the Croatian Mario Hezonja had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

For Philadelphia, Jaylen Brown finished the game with 20 pointsEdgecombe with 19 points and Tyrese Maxey with 17. LeBron James did not have his best night with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Cavaliers, the team in which LeBron debuted in the NBA and with which he won the ring in 2016, aspired to recover it this summer for their last dance. However, the one from Akron, a city located about 45 minutes from Cleveland, opted for Philadelphia.

The Cavaliers (1-0) are at the top of Group B of the East of the NBA Cup after his bulk victory this Friday. The 76ers (1-1), for their part, are third, also behind the Miami Heat (1-0).