Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell took the time to reflect on the outcome of a 118-109 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, one that saw an overturned call in the fourth quarter that would have given Sixers center Joel Embiid his sixth foul of the game.
“It is what it is,” Donovan Mitchell said in a postgame press conference. “We should have won that game. We gave up 14, and gave up the lead. That’s on us. We shouldn’t have to rely on hoping that he gets the offensive foul.
“Was it a foul? We think so. But it wasn’t. We should’ve won the game. It was in our hands and we didn’t capitalize. That’s on us.”
The Cavs, who were up by as many as 13 points against the Sixers, saw a third-quarter drought that froze Cleveland’s scoring enough for the Sixers to take a 71-70 lead with 5:20 remaining in the third.
Cleveland needed anything to push the momentum back in their favor after Donovan Mitchell hit a shot to bring the Cavs within seven points in the fourth. What was once called a charge as Embiid dove to try and charge into the paint initially gave forward Evan Mobley an advantage, but a challenge from Sixers coach Doc Rivers changed it to an offensive foul in favor of Joel Embiid.
Mobley still finished the night with 13 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in 39 minutes played. Donovan Mitchell added on 21 points and six rebounds.
“I feel like (Evan Mobley) battled tonight,” Cavs guard Caris LeVert said. We knew it would be a team effort, especially with (Jarrett Allen) out. We felt like Evan took the challenge early and battled him all night.
“That’s a tough matchup. He had some tough calls against him, but he still got it all night.”
The Cavs will tip off against the Washington Wizards at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Friday in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcasted on Bally Sports Ohio.