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Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Game 80: Cavs at 76ers

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (33-47) 91, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (24-56) 77
Wells Fargo Center
Sunday
Radio/TV: WTAM (1100 AM)/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED: There are two games remaining in the Cavs' season, and possibly in Coach Byron Scott's career in Cleveland. The Cavs host Miami on Monday in the final home game, and travel to Charlotte on Wednesday in the season finale.

The players might clean out their lockers on Thursday and go on their merry way.

I think it has become quite apparent what will happen when the season ends. One can make excuses for Scott, but if the players have quit, that probably seals his fate. Imagine what will happen if they play with so little emotion against the Heat.

The Cavs just didn't show up in Philadelphia on Sunday. Their bodies were there. Their minds were not. We know there are only two games remaining, but the players can at least pretend like they care. This going through the motion stuff is for the birds.

The Sixers jumped out to a 19-3 lead and never looked back.

The Cavs managed just 77 points - their second-lowest total of the season. If it wasn't for their 26-point fourth quarter, they would have set a season low in scoring. They also shot just 36.5 percent from the field.

In my opinion, the Cavs had three players that competed on the night. Power forward Tristan Thompson recorded his 30th double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. Power forward Kevin Jones recorded his first NBA double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and one block.

I thought Omri Casspi came in the game and played hard with nine points and five rebounds.

The rest of the bunch? Forget it. They were pitiful.

That starts with All-Star Kyrie Irving. He intentionally fouled a Sixers player to stop a fastbreak for his fifth personal foul with 10:31 left in the third quarter. We didn't see him again, which was deserved. He ended with four points on 1 of 6 from the field.

Scott didn't play any of his starters in the fourth quarter. He said in post-game he'd rather get some players in there who wanted to play hard.

The Sixers are the lowest-scoring team in the league at 92.9 points per game. They managed only 91 on Sunday, yet won the game in blowout fashion.

The Sixers won the season series, 3-1, vs. the Cavs. They've also won eight of the last nine meetings with Cleveland. The Cavs only win in that span was last Nov. 12.

Cavs center Tyler Zeller has recorded goose eggs in each of his last two games. He was 0 of 6 from the field on Sunday with two rebounds. He's melting down before our eyes.

The Cavs played without power forward Luke Walton (sprained ankle), swingman C.J. Miles (concussion) and point guard Shaun Livingston (back spasms).

LAST GAME: The Cavs lost to New York on Friday, 101-91.

UP NEXT: The Cavs host Miami at 7 p.m. Monday at Quicken Loans Arena. 

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Evan Turner (6-7, 220)
PF Tristan Thompson (6-9, 227) vs. Thaddeus Young (6-8, 235)
C Tyler Zeller (7-0, 250) vs. Spencer Hawes (7-1, 245)
SG Wayne Ellington (6-4, 200) vs. Damien Wilkins (6-6, 225)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 191) vs. Jrue Holiday (6-4, 205)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs - C Anderson Varejao, G/F C.J. Miles 
76ers - C Andrew Bynum, G/F Jason Richardson
OFFICIALS
Mike Callahan, Courtney Kirkland, Tre Maddox

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