3 observations after Sixers lose to 13-0 Cavs despite McCain’s 34-point performance originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Jared McCain starred Wednesday night for a Sixers team down all of its All-Stars.
The rookie guard was fantastic, scoring 34 points and dishing out 10 assists.
However, the shorthanded Sixers didn’t have quite enough firepower to hand the Cavs a stunning first loss. Cleveland improved to 13-0 with a 114-106 victory at Wells Fargo Center.
Darius Garland posted 25 points and six assists. Donovan Mitchell tallied 23 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
The 2-9 Sixers were without Tyrese Maxey (right hamstring strain), Joel Embiid and Paul George (left knee injury management). Andre Drummond was also out with an illness.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that Embiid and George will be available for the team’s Friday night matchup with the Magic. He also noted George’s minutes restriction has been lifted.
Here are observations on the Sixers’ loss Wednesday to Cleveland:
Extremely impressive first McCain start
McCain immediately looked right at home in his first NBA start, swishing a three-pointer to get the Sixers on the scoreboard.
Though he came up empty on his next four shots, McCain’s decision-making was strong. He looked comfortable both on and off the ball, pushed the pace often and put regular pressure on Cleveland’s defense. McCain drove and kicked to Caleb Martin for a corner three that gave the Sixers a 21-17 lead.
“Instead of reading my defender, I’m reading the back-side defender,” McCain said of his playmaking progress. “Or I’m not even reading the first help-side (defender), I’m reading the second on the back side. And seeing if the big is pulling over, seeing if the help is crashing down to the baseline person or is going to lift up to the wing. … It’s just certain things that are slowing down.
“Whenever I jump, I can even make a decision in the air. But that’s going to come with time. I think reading defenses is going to come with time and watching film on it.”
The 20-year-old wound up with 16 points, four assists and no turnovers in the first half.
One reason McCain has tended to be less turnover-prone than most rookies is his eagerness to shoot all kinds of jumpers, especially in transition. With a 6-for-13 night, McCain is now 20 for 52 (38.5 percent) from three-point range. And as he accumulates NBA reps, it’s increasingly clear that McCain can reliably create bread-and-butter shots…
