(Reuters) ? An evenly balanced offense helped the Atlantic Division-leading Philadelphia 76ers easily defeat the under-manned Cleveland Cavaliers 99-84 on Saturday.
Six players scored 10 or more points for the 76ers (19-9) with Jrue Holiday leading the way with 20. Reserves Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young added 19 and 16 points in the victory which followed their first two-game losing streak of the season.
The Cavaliers (10-16) struggled in the absence of rookie guard Kyrie Irving, who missed his third consecutive game because of concussion, and center Anderson Varejao, who has a right wrist injury.
"I told our guys that the worst thing they could possibly do would be to come in here and overlook a team like Cleveland, with all of its injuries," 76ers coach Doug Collins told reporters.
"That would have been a huge mistake. They didn't and I'm very proud of the guys."
The 76ers took control of the contest late in the first quarter when they went on a 14-2 run after a timeout to grab a commanding 30-19 lead.
It was much of the same in the second quarter as the visitors built up a 21 point lead before settling for a 58-41 advantage at halftime.
"Guys really picked it up and played lock down defense," Philadelphia's Evan Turner said of the second quarter.
"Jrue (Holiday) had some great moments and I think we had a lot of hustle plays and I think that is what really solidified us making a run."
Antawn Jamison led the Cavaliers with 20 points while Ramon Sessions added 19 points for the home side, who had lost in overtime to Milwaukee on Friday.
"The energy wasn't there from the start to the finish. I kind of expected that watching the guys in the locker room before the game," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott told reporters.
"I told them, 'I understand,' but it doesn't take away from the fact we need to compete at a high level like we're capable of doing."
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario. Editing by Greg Stutchbury/Patrick Johnston)
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