This might be the most impressive win of the season considering the Sixers were 14-2 at home and the Cavs were missing Love, Nance, Prince, and Osman. If you told me Embiid was going to explode for 42 points I'd say the Cavs would lose by 30.
Great job by Garland after missing 10 straight shots with a couple of turnovers to turn it around and make some clutch baskets down the stretch. He chipped in with 9 assists and played some solid defense, IMO.
Okoro stepped up with a career high 15 points but I was really impressed by his 8 rebounds. That's been his weakest area this year. Dean Wade had 12 boards and knocked down two key free throws in OT.
Dotson had his best game of the season IMO with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 19 minutes along with a team high +9. No turnovers and he was 2-for-2 on 3's.
The Cavs benefitted from Seth Curry going 1-for-13 from the field. That might never happen again. They also were helped by 12 missed free throws.
Sexton played 45 of the 53 minutes with a line of 28/5/3 with 3 steals. He missed 16 shots and Garland missed 15, but the Sixers have the 5th best scoring defense in the NBA so buckets were hard to come by. The Cavs won this one with defense, holding the Sixers to 92 points in regulation and then playing with more energy in the OT, although Embiid was magnificent. When he was too tired to bulldoze Allen to the rim anymore he hit a couple of 3's. He also went 14-for-16 from the line. Unbelievable talent.
However, the Cavs forced a huge turnover late when Wade doubled Embiid at just the right time after he started his move on Allen. Wade made him pick up the ball and kick it out, where his pass went astray and over the time line giving the ball to the Cavs.
The Sixers only shot 45.2% as the Cavs' defense was excellent all night. If it weren't for a few phantom foul calls against the Cavs they would have won in regulation. Just breathe on Embiid and they call a foul. Curry launched himself sideways into Garland and was given three free throws even though Garland was moving away from him with his back turned. Ridiculous call.
A game like this is going to give the Cavs a ton of confidence going forward. It's great to see guys like Okoro, Wade, Stevens, Dotson, and Windler make positive contributions.