76ers turn tables on Cavaliers

LOS ANGELES

The Philadelphia 76ers led wire-to-wire in a 108-97 victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland on March 2, perhaps the perfect sales pitch if they want to lure LeBron James to Pennsylvania next season.

The 76ers, who had lost 11 straight games to the Cavs, were fueled by 22 points from shooting guard JJ Redick, who connected on seven of 11 shots from the floor, including four three-pointers.

It was a rare road win for the Sixers, who notched their second win in last eight away games. Joel Embiid added 17 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for Philadelphia. Ben Simmons finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

James, who said he was flattered by three billboards rented by a Pennsylvania company in the Cleveland area urging him to consider a move to the Sixers as a free agent next season, led all scorers with 30 points.

That included a short jump shot in the first quarter which came after James escaped a double-team by dribbling behind his back and through the legs of teammate Tristan Thompson.

He added nine rebounds and eight assists but Cleveland, who closed within one point with 2:25 remaining after trailing by as many as 13 in the fourth quarter, were never able to get in front. “Looked like we had some heavy legs tonight,” James said. “We fought back but it’s been a tough stretch for us playing every other day the last four weeks.”