Cavaliers-76ers Preview

By JEFF BARTL
Posted Nov 18 2012 12:28AM

The Cleveland Cavaliers have few complaints about their Kyrie Irving-led offense, but it's been trumped by a suspect defense that ranks among the worst in the league.

It's been quite the opposite for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Cleveland looks to end a five-game losing streak Sunday night when it visits Philadelphia, which has made up for its lack of scoring with one of the NBA's best defenses.

Irving ranks among the league's scoring leaders averaging 24.4 points, but that hasn't helped translate to many wins for the struggling Cavaliers (2-7). The reigning rookie of the year scored a career-high 34 points in a loss to Brooklyn on Tuesday before tallying 26 against Dallas in Saturday's 103-95 defeat at home.

He hit 11 of 21 shots despite leaving briefly in the third quarter with a contusion to his left index finger. Irving, though, finished without an assist for the first time in his 60-game career.

Irving said he intends to play Sunday despite still feeling pain in his hand.

"I'm not feeling comfortable with my left hand and attacking the rim," he said. "I had only one hand and I was trying to force shots over Chris Kaman."

Part of the reason for Cleveland's struggles has been its defense, which ranks near the bottom of the league allowing 104.6 points per game. The Cavs have given up over 100 points in eight straight after a season-opening 94-84 win over Washington.

Coach Byron Scott refused to blame the team's youth for its struggles.

"Young is a cop-out," Scott said. "We're still basketball players."

In a scheduling quirk, the Cavs will play two straight against Philadelphia as the teams meet in Cleveland on Wednesday. The 76ers host Toronto on Tuesday in between.

The Cavs will get consecutive looks at a Philadelphia defense that is one of the NBA's stingiest giving up an average of 91.3 points.

The Sixers snapped a three-game home losing streak with Friday's 99-93 victory over Utah.

"Anytime you get a win against a good team, it's huge," said Jason Richardson, who tied his season high with 20 points. "You don't want teams coming in and feeling like they can beat you."

The 76ers (5-4), though, have made life difficult for themselves due to an offense that didn't score more than 88 points until the fifth game of the season and has an average of 89.2 per contest. Only winless Washington is averaging fewer.

Philadelphia's 40.8 field goal percentage also is among the NBA's worst, but Jrue Holiday said the team is improving in that respect. The Sixers shot 46 percent Friday and hit 10 of 18 from 3-point range.

"I think we've gotten a lot of good shots in a lot of good places," said Holiday, who had a game-high 26 points against Utah. "We're a jump-shooting team and even though we've missed some shots I think they've been good shots."

Philadelphia held a lead after the first quarter for the first time in four games.

"Hitting them first and getting the lead early definitely helps," Holiday said.

Philadelphia has won five straight meetings by an average of 14.6 points after dropping 10 of the previous 11. Holiday scored a game-high 24 points while Irving was held to nine in the Sixers' 103-87 victory April 18.

Turner leads 76ers over reeling Cavaliers 86-79

By ROB MAADDI
Posted Nov 18 2012 9:42PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) If Evan Turner strives for consistency over perfection, he could end up fulfilling the lofty expectations of a No. 2 overall draft pick.

Turner had 19 points, a career-high nine assists and six rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers over the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers 86-79 Sunday night.

"Evan shows flashes," Sixers coach Doug Collins said after Turner's best all-around effort in the season's first 10 games. "I told him: `Stop putting so much pressure on yourself.' Evan is a perfectionist. He works harder in the offseason than anybody else on the team. He puts a high ceiling on himself. I want him to enjoy playing."

Turner, a third-year pro, has finally settled into a steady role as the team's starting small forward. He was up-and-down over the first two seasons and started just 34 games.

"I want to play well, obviously," Turner said. "Other than that, it's normal."

Spencer Hawes and Jrue Holiday each added 14 points for the Sixers, who've won two straight and five of seven.

Alonzo Gee scored 17 and Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson had 14 apiece for Cleveland, which has lost six in a row. Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters combined for 14 points on 6-for-27 shooting. They came in averaging a combined 39.1 points, a league-best for a starting backcourt.

"Those are shots I normally take," Waiters said. "They just weren't falling. I can't stop shooting because I'm not making shots. You're going to make some and you're going to miss, but at the end of the day you have to try and impact the game in other ways."

The Cavaliers had won eight of their last 10 games in Philadelphia, a stretch that began when LeBron James was the King of Cleveland.

For nearly three quarters, it seemed the Cavaliers would continue their successful run. But the Sixers started pulling away late in the third quarter.

Holiday hit a step-back jumper, Nick Young made a free throw and then his fastbreak slam gave the Sixers their biggest lead to that point, 61-55.

Jason Richardson's 3-pointer 3 1/2 minutes into the fourth increased the lead to 69-59, but the Cavaliers went on a 14-6 run to pull to 77-75.

Turner answered with a jumper and after Varejao missed a putback, Hawes drilled a jumper to make it 79-73. Hawes' 3-pointer extended the lead to 82-75 with 2:15 left.

Turner's turnaround shot put the game away.

"Evan was brilliant," Collins said. "He was our ace of spades.

Before the game, injured Sixers center Andrew Bynum confirmed he hurt his other knee - the left one - while bowling on Nov. 10. His target date of Dec. 10 for basketball activities appears unlikely.

Young scored 13 points in 16 minutes off the bench. He left in the fourth quarter because of dizziness. Young wore fluorescent orange sneakers that clearly didn't match Philadelphia's white, red and blue colors. Considering his performance, he'll probably use those again.

Holiday finished one assist short of his fourth double-double in 10 games. His biggest contribution came defensively on Irving, who was averaging 24.4 points per game. Irving finished 4 of 14 for nine points.

"It was important," Holiday said. "He's their main scorer, their go-to guy. To limit his points, it's big."

The Sixers took a 43-42 lead after a back-and-forth first half.

"We had some good looks on the offensive end, but we got stagnant toward the end," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said. "I think a little bit of that had to do with fatigue. Other than that, from a defensive standpoint which is the thing we're really looking at, I thought we got better."

Notes: The Sixers played their fourth straight home game and are in the middle of a stretch where they have eight of nine on their floor. ... They've won just three of their last 10 home games, dating to last season. ... The Sixers are 6-0 when leading entering the fourth quarter. ... Cavaliers F C.J. Miles, the team's top free-agent signing, played 14 minutes after sitting out three straight on a coach's decision. ... Cleveland hosts Philadelphia on Wednesday.

---

Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobMaaddi

Notebook: 76ers 86, Cavaliers 79

Andy Jasner, for NBA.com
Posted Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:31 PM - Updated Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:31 PM

THE FACTS: Evan Turner scored 19 points and paced five Philadelphia players in double figures as the 76ers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 86-79 Sunday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Jrue Holiday and Spencer Hawes contributed 14 points apiece and Nick Young had 13 before leaving in the fourth quarter because of dizziness. Jason Richardson also had 12 points and nine rebounds.

Alonzo Gee led the struggling Cavaliers (2-8) with 17 points. Anderson Varejao had 14 points and 15 rebounds while Tristan Thompson added 14 points and 13 rebounds. Cleveland has dropped six games in a row.

QUOTABLE: "The most important thing is we pull together through the grind. Camaraderie and chemistry is key."

-- Turner.

THE STAT: The Sixers held Cleveland to 35.7 percent shooting from the field, Why is that especially relevant→ Well, the Sixers are 4-0 when holding opponents to 40 percent or less this season.

TURNING POINT: With the game still up for grabs and the Sixers holding a 75-73 lead, Turner and Hawes hit consecutive jumpers to extend their advantage to six with 3:01 remaining. From there, it was all Philadelphia.

HOT: Turner was 8-for-12 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. Additionally, Nick Young missed just one of his six shots.

NOT: Dion Waiters could never find his rhythm. He started 1-for-10 and wound up 2-for-13 for the Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving had an off night as well, going 4-for-14 with five turnovers.

QUOTABLE II: "I'm still waiting for that breakout game." -- Richardson, on the Sixers' shooting, which was considered a strength but hasn't been there on a consistent basis yet.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Turner had 19 points, nine assists, six rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot. Hawes added 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.

INSIDE THE ARENA: The announced crowd of 15,021 was energetic throughout on a rare Sunday night home game. When the Sixers broke open a close game in the final few minutes, the fans were fairly boisterous. After losing three in a row at home, this was their second consecutive win here.

QUOTABLE III: "We didn't really get anything out of our starting guards tonight, which is something we need." -- Cavaliers coach Byron Scott.

GOOD MOVE: Turner had the ball in his hands more often and did a great job of distributing to his teammates. When that happens, it takes the pressure off Holiday and allows the Sixers to play with a little more freedom.

BAD MOVE: Irving and Waiters needed to move the ball more, especially inside the low post and back out. Too often, they were going one-on-one and taking shots as the 24-second shot clock was about to expire.

ROOKIE WATCH: Waiters scored five points while forward-center Tyler Zeller added six points and seven rebounds. For the Sixers, forward Arnett Moultrie and guard Maalik Wayns didn't play.

NOTABLE: Young left the game in the fourth quarter with symptoms of dizziness. Young had knocked down five of his six shots before vacating. ... The Sixers have won six straight over the Cavaliers. ... Cleveland scored a season-low 79 points. ... The Sixers had 12 turnovers and are averaging nine over the past three games. ... Irving managed only nine points after not scoring below 15 points in any other game this season. ... Holiday has recorded seven or more assists in each of the past three games. ... Eight of Thompson's 13 rebounds came off the offensive glass.

NEXT: For the Cavaliers: Wednesday vs. Philadelphia, Friday @ Orlando, Saturday @ Miami. For the Sixers: Tuesday vs. Toronto, Wednesday @ Cleveland, Saturday vs. Oklahoma City.

• Cavaliers: Harangody, Leuer
• 76ers: Bynum

• Cavaliers: --
• 76ers: --

• Lead Changes: 16
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Officials: #15 Bennett Salvatore, #6 Tony Brown, #66 Haywoode Workman
• Attendance: 15021
• Duration: 2:02