FESTIVE FLOP

Sixers home win streak comes to an end with a loss to the Cavaliers

PHILADELPHIA >> On paper, it looked like a mismatch. The Cavaliers didn’t view their game against the 76ers that way and it showed.

Jordan Clarkson scored 14 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, Rodney Hood had

25 and Cleveland stunned Philadelphia 121-112 on Friday night, snapping the

76ers’ perfect home record. Philadelphia entered as the NBA’s lone undefeated team at home at 10-0, while the Cavaliers were 0-8 on the road with the worst overall record in the league at 2-14.

“We’re not really going to look at our record and count ourselves out of any game,” coach Larry Drew said. “We knew it was going to be a tough task. We knew we had to be on point on both ends of the floor. I’m just happy our guys played with the effort and energy they did. And it finally paid off.”

Colin Sexton added 23 points, Cedi Osman scored

20 and Tristan Thompson had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who had lost three in a row, including Wednesday’s 109105 home defeat to the Lakers in LeBron James’ return to Cleveland.

“Despite our record, we’re tough and resilient,” said Andrew Harrison, who made a key 3-pointer with 5:12 remaining. “We all play hard. If we continue to do what we’re doing, (the record) will get better.”

Joel Embiid had 24 points and 12 rebounds for Philadelphia, which had won four in a row overall and 20 consecutive contests at home dating to last season. The 76ers’ last home loss came last March 13, a 101-98 defeat to Indiana.

Philadelphia was booed by a large contingent of the sold-out crowd late in the contest.

“We had no spirit,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said. “We didn’t play defense in front of our home fans. We’re at home. That’s a game that you win.”

J.J. Redick scored 23 points and Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler had 22 apiece for the 76ers. Simmons added 10 assists.

“It doesn’t feel good,” Embiid said. “We have to learn from it. They came here tonight to prove themselves.”

The Cavaliers slowly extended their one-point lead to start the fourth. Cleveland took leads of seven, eight, nine — on Harrison’s 3 — and 11 before increasing it to

12 on Clarkson’s 3 from the right wing with 3:50 left. The advantage eventually grew to

15 points on Clarkson’s layup with 1:48 when the outcome was no longer in doubt.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The 76ers’ Jimmy Butler, left, reaches for the loose ball while holding off the Cavaliers’ Collin Sexton, right, during the second half of Friday night’s game in Philadelphia. The Cavaliers won 121-112.

CHRIS SZAGOLA — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Cavaliers’ Larry Nance Jr., right, dunks as the 76ers’ Mike Muscala, center, and Joel Embiid, left, look on Friday in Philadelphia. The Cavaliers won 121-112.