CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers broke out of their three-game slump with a commanding 122-105 win over the Sixers on Friday at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Sixers were down to eight fully available players and a limited appearance from Tiago Splitter. Before the game, the team announced Robert Covington and Jahlil Okafor were out for the remainder of the season (see full story).
The Sixers trailed by only three after the first quarter. The Cavs dominated the second quarter to go up 18 points at halftime.
The Cavs led by as many as 32 points in the third and the Sixers trailed, 104-77, at the end of the quarter.
The Sixers fell to 28-48 on the season. The Cavaliers, who had lost five of their last seven, improved to 48-27.
Inside the box score
LeBron James scored 34 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes.
NBA
Kyrie Irving dropped 24 points with nine assists. He attempted (and made) just one three-pointer.
Richaun Holmes and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led the Sixers with 19 points and seven rebounds. Holmes also had seven rebounds. The 19 points are a career-high for Luwawu-Cabarrot.
Kevin Love recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Justin Anderson did the same with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Shawn Long posted 16 points off the bench.
Tristan Thompson pulled down a game-high 11 boards.
The Cavaliers’ starters sat for most of the fourth.
First quarter tension
Just over a minute into the game, Irving pushed Anderson into the Sixers’ bench (see video). Anderson, as one would expect, didn’t take it lightly.
A small world
The Cavaliers honored former Sixer World B. Free for his four seasons played in Cleveland.
Up next
The Sixers will travel to Toronto to face the Raptors (45-30) on Sunday. The Raptors are yet another opponent fighting to move up in playoff standings.
