Sixers strengthen hold on eighth playoff spot with win over Cavs

Cleveland, OH, United States (AHN Sports) – Jrue Holiday scored 24 points and Andre Iguodala just missed a triple-double as the Philadelphia 76ers solidified their position for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 103-87 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena.

The 76ers (32-30) kept their postseason hopes alive after they salvaged a crucial road win against the Cavaliers (20-41), snapping a three-game losing skid and more importantly putting them 2.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Holiday shot 9-for-14 from the field and 6-for-6 from three-point arc while Iguodala recorded 19 points, 13 rebounds and 7 dimes for Philadelphia, who used a 31-point explosion in the third quarter to rip the game open.

Elton Brand chipped in with 12 points, while Thaddeus Young (12 points) and Evan Turner (10 points) contributed well off the bench.

Cavs bench players Samardo Samuels and Lester Hudson scored 15 points each, while Kyrie Irving scored 9 points on 4-for-10 shooting in his first game since missing nine straight games due to a sprained shoulder.

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