Nov

21

Cavaliers Shut Down Sixers In Fourth; Win 97-91

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

The Philadelphia 76ers hung tough for three quarters Saturday night as they played the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Q Arena. In fact they had the Cleveland crowd quite nervous as the two teams started the final 12 minutes of regulation with the Sixers leading by six points. But the Cavaliers have made their reputation over the last couple of seasons on the defensive end of the court and that was what got them a 97-91 victory over Philadelphia as Cleveland only allowed their opponents to score 10 points in the final period. Cavaliers All-Star forward had a game high 32 points while point guard Louis Williams led the Sixers with 22 points.

Both teams were playing in the second of back to back games but Cleveland certainly showed no signs of fatigue in the first leading at the end of the period by a score of 36-23. However they were out of sync in the second and their point total for their quarter was just half of what they produced in the first. The Cavaliers lead was down to just three points as they went into the locker room at the half on top 54-51.

Philadelphia would trail for the opening minutes of the third but they took their first lead of the period with 6:33 left as Thaddeus Young  hit a mid-range jumper putting his team ahead 65-63. The two teams volleyed the lead back and forth but Philadelphia got hot in the closing minutes of the quarter and led 81-75 as the two teams entered the fourth. Cleveland point guard Mo Williams hit on two straight mid-range jumpers with 8:03 left in the game and the score was deadlocked at 85-85. The Cavaliers would score 8 unanswered points putting them on top 93-85 with 3:53 remaining and Philadelphia never recovered.

LeBron James had 32 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds while Mo Williams added 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. J.J. Hickson continues to impress as the second year forward scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks while Zydrunas Ilgauskas getting the start in place the injured Shaquille O’Neal put up 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.

Louis Williams led the Sixers with 22 points, 5 assists and 1 steal while Thaddeus Young put 21 points on the scoreboard, 6 rebounds and 1 steal. Elton Brand recorded a double-double as he scored 18 points, 14 boards, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal. Andre Iguodala and Rodney Carney each had 12 points in the loss. Cleveland improves to a record of 10-4 and will next play Wednesday as they will be at the Palace to take on the Detroit Pistons. Philadelphia now has a record of 5-8 and will play in Washington on Tuesday night as they face the Wizards.

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