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Meeks leads Sixers in rout of Cavs

Mar 28, 2012 - 2:59 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Jodie Meeks filled in well starting in place of injured guard Andre Iguodala, scoring a career-high 31 points on 7- of-10 shooting from beyond the arc to help the 76ers earn a 103-85 victory over the Cavaliers on Tuesday.

"You just try to take good shots and whatever happens, happens," said Meeks about his offensive onslaught. "Anytime you see the ball go in the hole it gives you confidence, but I'm always a player with confidence as long as I'm taking good shots, I don't really worry about it."

Jrue Holiday added 19 points and six assists, Lou Williams filled the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists off the bench, and the Sixers took a slim half-game lead over the idle Boston Celtics for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Anthony Parker scored a team-high 14 points, Alonzo Gee and Antawn Jamison tallied 13 apiece and Kyrie Irving added 12 points and seven assists for the Cavaliers, who have dropped four straight.

"We just need to continue to work and believe in what we are doing," remarked Cleveland head coach Byron Scott after the setback. "Our biggest thing on the defensive end is a lack of communication. Guys are just not trusting one another right now and we just got to get back to it."

Iguodala missed his second straight game with patella tendinitis in his left knee, but Meeks didn't miss a beat, connecting on a three-pointer early in the first quarter to spark a 12-0 surge from the home team.

Meeks scored 10 of the 12 points in the run and finished the quarter with 12 points overall, helping the Sixers to a 29-21 edge after one.

The Cavs cut the lead to six, 31-25, early in the second, but an 11-3 run ensued, vaulting the Sixers ahead by 14 just before the midway point of the quarter.

Philadelphia led by double-digits the rest of the way and Holiday's triple with under three seconds left in the half restored the Sixers advantage to 14 at halftime.

The Sixers kept Cleveland at bay throughout the third, never allowing the Cavs to get closer than 13 in the frame as they took an 82-68 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Sixers stepped up their defense in the fourth, holding Cleveland without a field goal over the first four-plus minutes while they extended their lead to 87-70.

Cleveland pulled within 11 with 4:29 left, but the Sixers responded with seven straight, capped by Meeks' sixth three of the game to make it a 96-78 margin and close the door.

Game Notes

The Sixers will play at Washington on Friday, while Cleveland will welcome the Pistons on Wednesday...Cleveland held a 44-43 advantage in rebounds, but the Sixers outscored the Cavs 54-24 in the paint...Cleveland got to the free throw line 28 times, compared to just five foul shots for the Sixers.