The Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Philadelphia 76ers at home, 87-86. LeBron James led the way with 20 points on 8 of 24 from the field, including 11 rebounds and six assists. Kyrie Irving put in 17 points and dished out four assists. Timofey Mozgov posted a double-double with 14 points on 6 of 9 from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds. Kevin Love also chipped in a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Love left the game early in the fourth quarter as he headed straight to the locker room with a sore back and did not return. 

The Cavaliers did win this game, but they struggled against one of the worst teams in the NBA in the 76ers. The Cavaliers scored just 87 points on 38.8 percent from the field. They could not get it going this game, especially in the second half as they only scored 34 points in the half. However, the Cavs defense down the stretch gave them the victory, and they held the 76ers to 86 points on 40.5 percent from the field. 

The 76ers only shot 53.3 percent on 8 of 15 from the free-throw line, as Robert Covington and Jerami Grant each missed two free throws late in the game that could have given the 76ers the lead and possibly the victory. Nonetheless, this was a big win for the Cavs to help them secure second place in the Eastern Conference as they are 2.5 games ahead of the third seeded Chicago Bulls.

The Cavaliers have seven games left to the season, and the Bulls still have a chance to take second place from them. The Cavaliers and Bulls will face each other next Sunday in Cleveland. 

For the 76ers, Robert Covington led the way with 19 points to go along with four rebounds, and drained five three-pointers. Ish Smith put up 11 points on 5 of 16 from the field only but he handed out seven assists and plucked five rebounds. Furkan Aldemir also scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. 

The 76ers had a good chance to win this game, as they had numerous opportunities down the stretch but could not make shots when they needed to. The 76ers did shut down the Cavaliers on offense, holding them to 38.8 percent shooting from the field, but their offense was just as terrible. Philadelphia's missed free throws also hurt their chances of winning.