Cavaliers On Top Of The Heap In East With 102-92 Win Over Sixers

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

Back about this time six years ago the then name Gund Arena was a place of little hope and dashed dreams. Cleveland Cavaliers head coach John Lucas had been fired mid-way through the campaign replaced by an eager young assistant named Keith Smart. Coach Smart had no better success than did Lucas and the Cavaliers would end up with a 17-65 record for the year. Providence did however shine down upon the city of Cleveland however as the “Chosen One” would be delivered with the Lottery pick they got in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Friday night may have been the first step in what Cavaliers Nation has been dreaming about since that lost season as they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 102-92 at the Wachovia Center. With that victory Cleveland has clinched home court advantage in the Eastern Conference throughout the Playoffs. That is the first step in breaking the curse, the jinx, the dearth of a Professional Sports Championship in the city of Cleveland since 1964. LBJ fittingly led the way for the Cavaliers with a double-double including a game high 27 points.

This was a contest that the Sixers were never really out of contention however they never really seemed to threaten to win the game. Cleveland took the advantage at the end of the first 23-19. The Cavaliers were able to slightly increase the lead to 52-46 by the half.

Both teams played to a draw in the third period with Cleveland on top 76-70 as the quarter drew to a close. Lou Williams knocked down a mid-range jumper with 9:26 to play in the fourth and the Cavaliers lead was down to 76-74. But that would be the last gasp for Philadelphia as Cleveland would soon get the margin between them a lot wider and maintain it for the balance of the night.

LeBron James recorded a double-double 27 points, 10 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 block while Mo Williams put 18 points on the board, 4 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal. Wally Szczerbiak came off the bench with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists while Delonte West added 11 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals.

Andre Iguodala carried the Sixers as he put up 26 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal in the loss. Andre Miller would add 17 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal while Lou Williams had 17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal. Cleveland ends the evening with a 64-15 record and will host the Boston Celtics Sunday. Philadelphia is now 40-39.

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