The Philadelphia 76ers were handed their worst defeat of the season on November 6, falling 119-95 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in an NBA Cup group stage game. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak, dropping the Sixers' record to 8-3 overall.
Joel Embiid summed it up bluntly after the game, saying everything feels crowded on the floor. He's right. The starting lineup's inability to hit from deep is crippling the offense. With the starters on the court, the Sixers are shooting a dismal 28.3 percent from three-point range this season.
Embiid's own struggles are a major factor. He's hitting just 10.1 percent of his threes. That makes it incredibly hard to run the offense through him in pick-and-pop actions. But he's not alone. Tyrese Maxey is shooting 33.3 percent from deep, well below his career average. The team entered the night ranked 21st in offensive efficiency and that number will only get worse.
Cleveland took full advantage. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley led an inspired effort, with key bench contributions sealing the dominant win. The Cavaliers controlled the paint and the perimeter, exposing Philly's offensive stagnation.
On one hand, it's just one game in a long season. The Philadelphia 76ers' recent form was strong, with four straight wins before this loss. Those victories included a 112-106 road win over the Detroit Pistons on November 4 and a 126-107 home victory against the Chicago Bulls on November 2.
But the underlying numbers are troubling. A 28.3 percent clip from your starters won't cut it, no matter how talented your drivers and transition players are. The offensive system relies on spacing to create driving lanes for Maxey and post opportunities for Embiid. Without the threat of the three, everything gets harder.
Some lineup experimentation might be needed. Playing small with Walker at center has had some positive moments, but the rebounding drop-off is severe. It's a puzzle the coaching staff must solve quickly.
The schedule offers a quick chance for redemption. The Philadelphia 76ers travel to face the Chicago Bulls on November 8. It's a swift rematch after just beating them days prior.
They'll need to find their shooting touch fast. The Bulls game starts a tough stretch, and maintaining their position near the top of the Eastern Conference depends on fixing these offensive woes. Embiid and Maxey must lead the way. The team's defense has been solid, but it can't carry an offense stuck in mud. This loss to Cleveland serves as a loud wake-up call about the work still required.
