Player grades: Sixers can't overcome slow start in loss to Cavaliers

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers returned home following a successful road trip looking to keep things rolling against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. It's the first of a 2-game mini series between the teams and the Sixers were looking for an important win.

However, a slow start did them no favors. The Sixers committed six turnovers in the opening quarter as the Cavs built a double-digit lead in the early going. Cleveland then pumped the lead up to as large as 30 to walk away with a 133-107 win over the Sixers. The backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell went to work for the Cavs as Garland had 20 points and seven assists before leaving with a foot injury and Mitchell had 35 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.

The Sixers received 20 points and four rebounds from Joel Embiid while Tyrese Maxey added 14 points and four assists, and Paul George had 17 points, four assists, and four rebounds. VJ Edgecombe added nine points.

Here are the player grades following the loss:

Tyrese Maxey: C

The Cavs shaded a lot of attention toward Maxey in this one to try and limit him. Due to that attention, there weren’t many opportunities for Maxey to really score and make a big impact early on. The 6-year veteran out of Kentucky was able to use his speed and his passing to make things happen. Overall, this was just not a good Maxey game. He had some tough defensive moments and he struggled to get into a rhythm. A rare off night for the star guard.

VJ Edgecombe: C-minus

The rookie got off to a solid start in terms of scoring the ball as he knocked down an early 3 and got to the basket, but he also had two turnovers in the first quarter that allowed the Cavs to go the other way and start playing faster. Overall, it was a tough game for Edgecombe as he was unable to impact the game in his usual way.

Paul George: C

The Sixers needed somebody to really step up and put the ball in the basket, and George obliged. He knocked down some big 3s in the second quarter when it looked like the Cavaliers were going to build on a fast start. His offensive ability to both score and make plays for others was big in this one to keep the Sixers in the game. However, other than that stretch, he was unable to do much. The Sixers needed more from him on a night like this one and it wasn’t there.

Dominick Barlow: Incomplete

Barlow does so many things that don’t show up in a box score. He was setting some great screens in this one to get his teammates open and he made a few plays that helped create some extra possessions for the Sixers. He suffered a back injury in the third quarter and was ruled out for the game. The Sixers will miss him if he has to miss extended time.

Joel Embiid: C-plus

The big fella got off to a tough start as he committed four turnovers in the opening quarter and had trouble defending Cavs big man Jarrett Allen. Cleveland’s big men were running the floor and Embiid had a tough time catching up with them and defending the basket. After then committing a fifth turnover in the second quarter, Embiid began to get going. He got to his spots on the offensive end and knocked down some easy mid-range jumpers and then drove into Allen to create space and some easy buckets. His intensity picked up in the third quarter as he began playing with some serious energy, but it wasn’t enough in this one.

Quentin Grimes: C

Grimes had a tough start to his night as he attacked the basket well, but he missed a layup. He then missed an open 3-ball, but he did have some good moments on the defensive end of the floor. He made some big 3s in the second half to try and keep the Sixers in it. Grimes can do a lot of good things for Philadelphia on a regular basis, and this was just another example of that.

Kelly Oubre Jr.: D-plus

The first stint for Oubre was non-descript as he didn’t do much. He grabbed a couple of rebounds and came up with an assist in six minutes. He knocked down a 3 in the second half, but his stints were short. He was listed as probable with an illness so one has to wonder if that was bothering him a bit.

Jabari Walker: C

Walker’s first stint was quick as he picked up two fouls in four minutes trying to slow down Cleveland’s big men in the paint. Coming in for an injured Barlow, he made a ton of big plays. He played his behind off on both ends of the floor and gave the Sixers some toughness. One has to wonder if he will get a look in the lineup if Barlow misses extended time.

Adem Bona: C

The big man received some early minutes in this one amid the slow Embiid start and he gave Philadelphia some big energy. He was aggressive on the glass as he was able to make something happen against this hulking frontline that the Cavs have to offer, and he was getting to the paint which allowed him to get to the foul line.

Trendon Watford: C

The Sixers turned to Watford early and he did some good things for Philadelphia. He knocked down a wing triple, handled the ball, ran some offense, and made plays for others. It was good to see him contributing for the first time since he’s returned from the injury.

Jared McCain: Incomplete

The second-year guard received three minutes in the first half that didn't produce much. He then got some garbage time minutes with the game decided.

Andre Drummond: Incomplete

The veteran big man started the fourth quarter with the Sixers looking for anything. He grabbed his usual assortment of rebounds and had some good offensive moments as well. One has to wonder if Philadelphia will have Drummond as the backup in the rematch between these teams on Friday.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: Sixers can't overcome slow start in loss to Cavaliers