The Cleveland Cavaliers (30 - 20) defeated the Philadelphia 76ers (10 - 39) 97 - 84 on Monday. The Cavs took it to the 76ers right away, starting the game on an 80 run and never trailing from tipoff to the final buzzer. J.R. Smith hit a three - pointer with 8:38 left in the third quarter to put the Cavaliers up by 20, 59 - 39. The Sixers would go on a 26 - 10 run to end the third quarter, closing the gap to just four points. Kyrie Irving hit a couple three - pointers to help strengthen the lead early in the fourth. The Cavaliers tightened up their defense and held the Sixers without a field goal in the final 3:47. Robert Covington had a nice game for the 76ers. He and Jerami Grant each scored 18 points. Covington also had a season - high with seven steals. Michael Carter-Williams played a season - low 20 minutes on Monday, leaving the game with 7:31 left in the third quarter with a shin injury. Larry Drew II finished the game at point guard for the Sixers. Philadelphia holds the Eastern Conferences' worst overall record. The 76ers will play the Nuggets on Tuesday, and the Cavaliers will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
["TeamStat(G,'Cavaliers') has 20 Losses ,has 97 Total points ,has 30 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'76ers') has 39 Losses ,has 84 Total points ,has 10 Wins ."]