Instant Replay: Cavs 104, Sixers 93

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Sixers were the visitors on Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Schottenstein Center on Ohio State University’s campus, but it was a homecoming for Evan Turner, who played three seasons for the Buckeyes.

However, Turner’s return couldn’t put the Sixers over the top in a 103-94 loss to the Cavs. Turner scored 14 points and had six rebounds in the defeat, which dropped the Sixers to 2-4 in the preseason.

The Sixers did show some fight in this one. They trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half but were able to close the gap to two heading into the final frame and even took the lead in the fourth quarter.

Royce White fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter after 17 minutes of action. He argued with the officials heading to the Sixers’ bench, which drew him a technical foul and an early exit to the locker room.

Turning point
The Sixers were outscored, 11-3, in the first 5:21 of the fourth quarter. Sixers head coach Brett Brown put four of his five starters back in at that point, but the Cavs had already turned the momentum back in their favor.

The Sixers lost the final quarter, 33-24, overall.

Follow the leader
Spencer Hawes had a double-double with 17 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

Kyrie Irving has already been selected to one All-Star game and there are certainly more in store for him. In a point guard’s league, Cleveland has slowly built its team up around the Duke product.

Irving played 28 minutes, scored 17 points and handed out 12 assists.

The No. 1 overall pick from last June’s draft, Anthony Bennett, came off the bench to score nine points and grab five rebounds.

Stat-egic
The Sixers shot just 35 percent from the floor and 22 percent from behind the arc. They did make 27 of 34 free throws.

Take a bow
It was a nice return to OSU for Turner. His mother lives in Columbus and made a meal for the entire Sixers family on Sunday night.

“It was great last night,” Brown said. “His mom cooked for everybody. Everybody showed up and it was a good team thing. It was great hospitality by the Turner family. His mom is a mom, a real warm lady and an excellent cook.”

What’s next?
The Sixers play their final preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Their roster still stands at 20, but needs to be shaved down to 15 by Oct. 27.

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