BOX SCORE
The Sixers know all about the transition facing the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A young team with a proven head coach as its new leader is fighting for one of the final Eastern Conference playoff spots.
Now, the Sixers are taking advantage of those teams to try and keep their Atlantic Division title hopes alive.
Jodie Meeks erupted for a career-high 31 points as the Sixers cruised to a 103-85 victory over the Cavs at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night (see Lynam's Instant Replay). The win gave them a half-game division lead over idle Boston.
Our goal is to stay ahead, try to finish it off, get the Atlantic, Elton Brand said. Just stay above float, stay above Boston, thats our goal, the Knicks and whoever else is behind us.
This was a very good win for our guys tonight, Sixers head coach Doug Collins said. We got off to a good start. We were very sharp offensively. Weve been working on really cutting hard and moving the ball, and I thought we did a really good job of that.
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Meeks started in place of Andre Iguodala, who missed his second straight game with left knee tendinitis. Meeks had started the Sixers first 38 games this season before making room for Evan Turner in the lineup and looked comfortable back with the first unit. After falling behind by five to start, he scored 10 of the Sixers points during a 12-0 run to take control.
Meeks never slowed after the opening tip, making 10 of 16 shots from the field and connecting on 7 of 10 three-pointers.
I just know I was open, Meeks said of his huge night. I was glad to be open, relaxed and just shot. I havent been shooting as well. I just tried to take good shots and whatever happens, happens.
Jodie was never benched. He became part our second unit. Benched is a harsh word, Collins laughed of Meeks transition to reserve.
Jodie is a professional. Whether Jodie is starting or whether Jodie is coming off the bench, he plays the same way and thats why I didnt think it would be a huge adjustment for him. He comes in and hes always ready.
Meeks wasnt the only Sixer that found an early offensive rhythm. With Iguodala sidelined again, the clubs wing players more than made up for his absence.
Jrue Holiday scored 19 points and added six assists. Evan Turner scored 12 points, while Lou Williams chipped in with 11 as the Sixers turned an eight-point lead after one quarter into a 14-point advantage at halftime.
Their defense was equally as impressive, bottling up top pick Kyrie Irving (12 points on 4-of-13 shooting) and forced the Cavs into 18 turnovers.
The Sixers lead ballooned to 20 in the third quarter, mainly as Cavs defenders closed out on Meeks, which opened up driving lanes. The Sixers controlled the post by outscoring Cleveland 54-24 in the paint.
However, the Cavs did make things slightly interesting in the final frame by trimming the Sixers advantage to 11.
I was concerned late in the game. I thought we were getting tired, Collins said.
The Sixers still had enough left to squash whatever thoughts the Cavs had of a comeback.
Holiday made a tough basket in traffic before stripping Irving on the ensuing possession and shoveling a pass ahead to Meeks for an easy layup. Then, after the team brought the crowd to its feet with three straight blocks under the basket on Cavs forward Alonzo Gee, Meeks drilled another three with 2:50 remaining to push the Sixers lead back to 20 and erase any doubt of the outcome.
It was great to see him hit those shots because we have total confidence in him. We know he can knock those down, Brand said of Meeks.
We shot the ball well. We shared the ball and so its a good win for us," Collins added.
The victory gave the Sixers the slightest of breathing room in the Atlantic Division. They have led the pack for a majority of the regular season and have no plans of letting anyone prevent them from claiming their first division crown since the 2000-01 season.
For a Sixers team that was recently battling just for a postseason berth like the Cavs, its exactly where Collins wants his club to be coming down the stretch.
Were in the fire right now. Were in the fire, but thats where we want to be, Collins said. Id rather be in the fire than be on the outside looking in.
E-mail Matt Haughton at mhaughton@comcastsportsnet.com