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  4. title => "Sixers 128, Cavs 105: Jimmy Butler returns, Ben Simmons posts triple-double"
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  6. article_body => "<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/scores.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com\/nba\/boxscore.asp?gamecode=2018121605\" target=\"_blank\">BOX SCORE&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Sixers\u2019 home loss to the Cavaliers on Nov. 23 was, at the time, likely&nbsp;their worst of the season. For a while Sunday, it appeared&nbsp;they might have a new, strong contender, as Cleveland took a 44-34 second-quarter lead.<\/p>\n<p>But the Sixers avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season, pulling away in the fourth quarter to beat&nbsp;the Cavs, 128-105, behind Ben Simmons\u2019 third triple-double of the season (22 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds). Joel Embiid had 24 points and nine rebounds, while Jimmy Butler returned to the lineup after missing the past two games with a strained groin and had 19&nbsp;points.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Sixers are now 20-11 on the season, 6-8 on the road.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Simmons had another sharp, attacking start, scoring nine of the Sixers\u2019 first 14 points.<\/p>\n<p>In several other games this season, Simmons hasn\u2019t sustained his early aggression. Against Cleveland, his drive never diminished.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\udf00 SPINNIN&#39; SIMMONS \ud83c\udf00<br><br>Ben with some moves to get in for a jam! | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Wendys?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Wendys<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IabaSHaVjF\">pic.twitter.com\/IabaSHaVjF<\/a><\/p>&mdash; NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBCSPhilly\/status\/1074417675424751617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2018<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>When Embiid and Butler sat early in the second quarter, Simmons\u2019 ability to establish deep post position, score and distribute effectively in a point forward role was crucial in Cleveland not running away with the game.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the most impressive part of Simmons\u2019 performance? He didn\u2019t turn the ball over.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 In a familiar, unsurprising turn of events, the Sixers\u2019 first-quarter lead disappeared soon after the second unit entered. As we\u2019ve noted before, the Sixers\u2019 bench is thin, and their perimeter defense is subpar. The Cavs have a few players who can create shots off the dribble, but they\u2019re not the type of opponent that should pose serious problems to a team with NBA Finals aspirations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Mike Muscala had perhaps his worst game as a Sixer in Friday\u2019s night loss vs. the Pacers, shooting 1 for 8 and looking out of sync with his teammates on both ends of the floor. Brett Brown attributed Muscala\u2019s poor performance, in part, to his return from an upper respiratory infection.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Muscala looked more like himself Sunday, with eight points, six rebounds and three blocks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Butler didn\u2019t attempt a shot and was scoreless in the first quarter. He\u2019s averaged just 4.0 points in the first quarter with the Sixers. While the Sixers could get Butler more involved on offense early, you sense his slow starts are in part because of his efforts to blend into the Sixers\u2019 offense and defer to Simmons and Embiid.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 The Sixers allowed a total of 114 second-half points during their two-game losing streak. Their defense after halftime was improved in Cleveland, as the Cavs had much less success in transition than in the first half and there were far fewer issues with the Sixers\u2019 communication and rotations.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 On Friday, the Sixers got just 21 points outside of Embiid, Simmons, and JJ Redick. Those three were, as usual, the Sixers\u2019 go-to players offensively, but they received more help against the Cavs.<\/p>\n<p>Landry Shamet caught fire in the fourth quarter, shooting 6 for 7&nbsp;on the afternoon and tying his career high with 16 points.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">SPLASHIN&#39; SHAMET. <br><br>The rook has 13 on the board, including this make from beyond the arc. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/a5ff5SfJ3f\">pic.twitter.com\/a5ff5SfJ3f<\/a><\/p>&mdash; NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBCSPhilly\/status\/1074432779549597698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2018<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Wilson Chandler, who was scoreless vs. the Pacers, chipped in 11&nbsp;points, including an important three-pointer at the end of the third quarter to stop a 12-0 Cavs run.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 It was nice for the Sixers not to have to deal with Tristan Thompson on the offensive glass. Cleveland had six&nbsp;offensive rebounds Sunday. Thompson had eight by himself on Nov. 23.&nbsp;<br><br><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/myteams-nbc-sports?utm_tags=nbcsphi1356\">Click here<\/a> to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">More on the Sixers<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/sixers-weekly-observations-lack-depth-lack-point-guard-shooting-and-joel-embiids-resurgence\">The Sixers\u2019 fundamental flaws are in the spotlight<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/breaking-down-sixers-trade-targets-december-15th-arrives\">Breaking down Sixers' trade targets as important NBA date arrives<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/markelle-fultz-trade-rumors-pistons-reported-interested-what-could-sixers-get-trade\">If Pistons are interested in Fultz, what could Sixers get in a trade?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/15-year-old-brandon-niederauer-performs-incredible-rendition-national-anthem-sixers-game\">Sixers waste Joel Embiid\u2019s historic performance <\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/i-confess-i-may-have-been-wrong-about-jimmy-butler\">I confess, I may have been wrong about Jimmy Butler <\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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76ers

76ers

BOX SCORE 

The Sixers’ home loss to the Cavaliers on Nov. 23 was, at the time, likely their worst of the season. For a while Sunday, it appeared they might have a new, strong contender, as Cleveland took a 44-34 second-quarter lead.

But the Sixers avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season, pulling away in the fourth quarter to beat the Cavs, 128-105, behind Ben Simmons’ third triple-double of the season (22 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds). Joel Embiid had 24 points and nine rebounds, while Jimmy Butler returned to the lineup after missing the past two games with a strained groin and had 19 points. 

The Sixers are now 20-11 on the season, 6-8 on the road.

• Simmons had another sharp, attacking start, scoring nine of the Sixers’ first 14 points.

In several other games this season, Simmons hasn’t sustained his early aggression. Against Cleveland, his drive never diminished.

When Embiid and Butler sat early in the second quarter, Simmons’ ability to establish deep post position, score and distribute effectively in a point forward role was crucial in Cleveland not running away with the game.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Simmons’ performance? He didn’t turn the ball over. 

 

• In a familiar, unsurprising turn of events, the Sixers’ first-quarter lead disappeared soon after the second unit entered. As we’ve noted before, the Sixers’ bench is thin, and their perimeter defense is subpar. The Cavs have a few players who can create shots off the dribble, but they’re not the type of opponent that should pose serious problems to a team with NBA Finals aspirations. 

• Mike Muscala had perhaps his worst game as a Sixer in Friday’s night loss vs. the Pacers, shooting 1 for 8 and looking out of sync with his teammates on both ends of the floor. Brett Brown attributed Muscala’s poor performance, in part, to his return from an upper respiratory infection. 

Muscala looked more like himself Sunday, with eight points, six rebounds and three blocks. 

• Butler didn’t attempt a shot and was scoreless in the first quarter. He’s averaged just 4.0 points in the first quarter with the Sixers. While the Sixers could get Butler more involved on offense early, you sense his slow starts are in part because of his efforts to blend into the Sixers’ offense and defer to Simmons and Embiid. 

• The Sixers allowed a total of 114 second-half points during their two-game losing streak. Their defense after halftime was improved in Cleveland, as the Cavs had much less success in transition than in the first half and there were far fewer issues with the Sixers’ communication and rotations.

• On Friday, the Sixers got just 21 points outside of Embiid, Simmons, and JJ Redick. Those three were, as usual, the Sixers’ go-to players offensively, but they received more help against the Cavs.

Landry Shamet caught fire in the fourth quarter, shooting 6 for 7 on the afternoon and tying his career high with 16 points.

Wilson Chandler, who was scoreless vs. the Pacers, chipped in 11 points, including an important three-pointer at the end of the third quarter to stop a 12-0 Cavs run.

• It was nice for the Sixers not to have to deal with Tristan Thompson on the offensive glass. Cleveland had six offensive rebounds Sunday. Thompson had eight by himself on Nov. 23. 

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