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At the beginning of Sixers-Cavs, the two keys to the game according to CSN Philly were as follows:
- Feed Big Mo
- Let The Doctor Operate
The two bullet points were a nod to the 1982-83 team that was honored during halftime of the contest. But truth be told, the Sixers could have trotted out those very same gentlemen - dress shoes and all - and still might have beaten the Cavaliers this afternoon.
The final score was 91-77, but it rarely felt even that close. Philadelphia (33-47) began the game on a 19-3 run, and there were very few moments after that opening stretch where it felt like the game was in doubt. The Sixers shot 59 percent in the opening quarter to take a 32-19 lead while Cleveland (24-56) made just eight of their first 22 shots from the floor.
The second quarter was an embarrassing affair for both teams, but the Sixers were still able to extend their lead to 19 following a lackluster period in which they shot less than 38 percent.
During the halftime festivities, Sixers' owner Joshua Harris promised to "work really hard to make next year even more exciting for the fans." Based on what we've had to deal with this year, making next year more exciting than this won't take all that much work.
Cleveland actually doubled up Philadelphia on the glass in the second half (28 to 13), but they only outscored the Sixers by five points over the final 24 minutes. Dorell Wright led all scorers with 15 points, while Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes and Jrue Holiday all finished with 14 points.
Despite going 6-for-17 from the field, Holiday got the best of his matchup against Cavs' point guard Kyrie Irving. The 21-year-old Irving scored just nine points in his only previous meeting against the Sixers this year, and finished with just four points on 1-for-6 shooting in this one.
As a team, Cleveland shot just 36.5 percent from the field. Tristan Thompson, Wayne Ellington and Marreese Speights each finished with 12 points for the Cavs, who were held under 100 points for the 17th time in their last 19 games.
Philadelphia will finish the 2012-13 season with a 23-18 record at the Wells Fargo Center. Games against the Detroit Pistons (Monday) and the Indiana Pacers (Wednesday) close out the schedule.
Cavaliers vs 76ers coverage