Even with their No. 1 draft pick, Kyrie Irving, back on the floor, the Cleveland Cavaliers couldn't escape yet another blowout on Wednesday, and fell in frustrating fashion to Philadelphia, 103-87.
After playing what can only be described as a promising opening half, Cleveland was outscored 50 to 38 in the second, numbers that were much, much worse until a few easy baskets down the stretch offered the Cavs a mirage of respectability. Irving only managed to play 20 minutes in the route, on a night when no Cleveland player saw more than 30 all game.
Philadelphia's second-half explosion that eventually put the game on ice was paced by promising guard Jrue Holiday, who finished with a game-high 24 points. Holiday sank all six of his attempts from the perimeter in addition to dishing out five assists, and had his way with a completely lackadaisical Cleveland defense.
The win moves Philadelphia to 32-30 on the season, while the Cavs fell to 20-41. Cleveland will take Thursday off before playing host to New York at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday.
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