The Athletic NBA Daily Cavs dominate Sixers
Jan 15, 2026
Tony Jones, a veteran NBA reporter and Philadelphia 76ers beat writer, joins the conversation to analyze what went wrong for the Sixers in their loss to the Cavs. He discusses the team's low energy levels, attributing it to fatigue from travel. The struggles of Joel Embiid against the Cavs' defense are highlighted, along with the need for adjustments, including more playing time for Kelly Oubre. They also explore Tyrese Maxey's case for All-NBA status and Joel Embiid's mindset as he works to reintegrate into a challenging role.
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Cavs' Energy Fueled Dominant Win
- The Cavaliers played with high energy and executed both defensively and in getting to the paint, producing a clinical win over the Sixers.
- Darius Garland contributed before leaving with a foot injury, highlighting Cavs' deeper cohesion when healthy.
Hot Shooting Created Early Separation
- Cleveland's early track-meet pace and hot three-point shooting (20-of-46) overwhelmed Philadelphia from the opening minutes.
- The Cavs' spacing and shooting made a comeback extremely difficult once they built the lead.
Kings' Wins Show Collective Firepower
- Sacramento's three-game streak shows synergy beyond opponent quality, with multiple scorers stepping up.
- Precious Achiuwa's 20-14 game and contributions from veterans illustrated balanced offense and depth.