76ers are a super team — in the second half

The Philadelphia 76ers have defeated both of last season's Eastern Conference finalists in their first two games. The next step is not falling far behind those teams so they have to make huge comebacks.

Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey scored 17 second-half points each and the Sixers came back from 29 points down to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-106, Thursday. It's the Sixers' largest comeback in the play-by-play era and the second time in two games they've made up double-digit deficits.

Philadelphia 76ers turn up their second-half defense

How have the 76ers managed to climb back into games this season? It's all about their defense.

Thursday, the Cavs scored 69 points in the first half, but only 37 in the second. In the 106-100 win over the New York Knicks Tuesday, the defending champions had 58 points before halftime and only 42 afterward.

The 76ers made their record comeback happen by forcing 15 Cavs turnovers after halftime. Maxey and VJ Edgecombe each had two steals after halftime, part of a furious defensive effort from the wing-heavy 76ers. They harassed Cleveland's perimeter players, with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Peyton Watson combining for 11 turnovers.

Philadelphia 76ers could have scary defense

One element of the Sixers defense that hasn't always been available is center Joel Embiid. After two seasons severely limited by injuries, Embiid's healthy again. He's been on the court for over 75 percent of the team's second-half minutes so far, which allows the other Sixers to extend their defense and aggressively pressure the ball.

Philly can surround Embiid with a squad of long-armed, ball-hawking players, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope functioning as a three-and-D sixth man so far. Maxey has been in the top 10 in steals the last two seasons. Brown has received votes for the All-Defensive team in eight different seasons.

Of course, there's also LeBron James, a six-time member of the All-Defensive team and one of the greatest defensive players in league history. So when the 76ers get their backs up against the wall, their defense has a top gear that few other teams can match.

The next step is applying that same defensive intensity to the early part of the game. Giving up 69 first-half points to even an excellent offensive team like the Cavaliers is a bad sign for a team with championship aspirations.

But if they can play four quarters like they've been playing the last two, this team could be scary. Especially if Embiid's body holds up.