1 stud, 1 dud from Cavs’ dispiriting loss to the 76ers

Saturday night the Cleveland Cavaliers took on the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time this season. It was an interesting quirk of the schedule, as the two teams will meet three more times before the end of the season. Given that both teams are very much in the mix for the top seed in the East, these four games could be major difference-makers.

With the 76ers short-handed after their blockbuster trade on Thursday it was the perfect opportunity for the Cavs to notch the first win in the season series. Instead Joel Embiid showed why he is the current MVP favorite and dropped 40 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in one of the more dominant triple-doubles you will see.

The Cavs were powerless to stop Joel Embiid and the 76ers on Saturday night. Who were one stud and one dud from a dispiriting loss?

Context is important here, as the game was played in Philadelphia one night after the Cavs pulled off the comeback win in Indiana. The 76ers played Friday night as well, but it was at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder, somewhat less of a tiring endeavor.

That being said, the Cavs were not able to hang with the 76ers. In the first and third quarters the 76ers broke out to big leads, and both times the Cavs battled back, even taking the lead briefly in the third quarter. Each time Joel Embiid checked back in and blew the game open once more.

Who stood out for good and for ill on the Cavs? Let’s look at one stud and one dud from a game that could have been a defining win, and instead was a dispiriting loss.