Cleveland Cavaliers (40-25) beat Philadelphia 76ers (34-30) 115-101 at home on Monday, March 9, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Cavaliers had the better start, winning the first 26-20 to lead by 6 after one. The Cavaliers kept the pressure on with a 30-24 second quarter, carrying a 12-point lead into halftime.
The Cavaliers won the third 31-22 to create some separation, taking a 21-point lead into the fourth. The 76ers took the fourth 35-28; the Cavaliers held on for a 115-101 regulation win.
What decided it
The Cavaliers made 27.4 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 14.1 for the 76ers. The Cavaliers took better care of the ball, turning it over on 9.5% of possessions compared with 14.6% for the 76ers. The points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
At roughly 96 possessions per team, the Cavaliers produced 120.5 points per 100 possessions to 105.8 for the 76ers.
Who made the difference
James Harden was the game's biggest individual force for CLE: 21 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast on 6-11 shooting. His Game Score of 19 led everyone. His team was +16 with him on the floor.
Justin Edwards led the 76ers with 14 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast on 5-6 shooting, good for a 14.3 Game Score.
Dean Wade (13 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Cavaliers about a 80% chance.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, Cleveland Cavaliers lead 5-1.
The Cavaliers are now 40-25, and the 76ers are 34-30. The Cavaliers last five before this game: L-L-W-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.