'Best' & 'Worst' awards: Sixers vs. Cavs
My look at some of the best and worst performances from the Cleveland Cavaliers' 114-85 victory over the 76ers on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center:
Best performance: This is a tough one, because a Who's Who of Cavaliers dominated the Sixers. But I have to give this to Tyler Zeller, a 7-foot center who started in place in Anderson Varejao. Zeller finished with a season-high 18 points and career-high 15 rebounds in just 25 minutes, 16 seconds of action. The second-year veteran scored 10 of his points in the first quarter while becoming the latest in a long line of opposing post players to dominate the Sixers.
Worst performance: This has to go Spencer Hawes. After making his first shot attempt, the Sixers center went on miss his final five. Hawes finished with just two points. He was booed after he missed a layup with 6 minutes, 7 seconds left in the third quarter. Hawes did finish with six rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. However, his shooting performance was hard to overlook.
Best defensive performance: Even though Sixers swingman Evan Turner had a game-high three steals, this award goes to Cavaliers reserve Alonzo Gee. The forward had two steals to go with a blocked shot. He also finished with seven points and eight rebounds in just 12 minutes of action.
Best performance in a losing effort: James Anderson wins this award after producing 10 points on 4 of 7 shooting. The Sixers other starters combined to shoot 15-for-50 (30 percent). The shooting guard made 2 of 4 three-pointers and had two assists and a steal.
Worst statistic: You have to give this to the Sixers' three-point shooting. They made just 5 of 22 attempts (22.7 percent). They only made one three-pointer after intermission.
Best statistic: This award goes to the Cleveland's rebounding advantage. The Cavs out-rebounded the Sixers, 61-44.
Worst of the Worst: The Sixers' effort. There were times when a Cavalier grabbed a rebound with three Sixers in better position to get the ball. There were also times when the Cavs maneuvered around the Sixers as if they were mannequins.
Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers