Jeremy Pargo replaced Irving in the starting lineup and scored a career-high 28 points, while also delivering five rebounds and four assists, to lead the Cavs to a 92-83 victory that snapped their six-game losing streak. They also had lost six straight to the Sixers.
“I don’t think anybody expected JP to come in and play the way he did,” a beaming Scott said after the game. “I think you’ve got to give him a lot of credit. He works his butt off every day at practice. The last couple of games, getting a chance to play, he’s come in and done what he’s supposed to do. We talk about opportunities. He took advantage of it.”
Pargo, traded to the Cavs from Memphis over the summer for D.J. Kennedy, took a page out of Irving’s playbook and used a combination of driving layups and four 3-pointers, hitting some big shots when the Cavs needed them most. After the Sixers’ small lineup closed to within 79-77 late in the fourth quarter, Pargo scored on a swooping layup to start the Cavs on a 13-0 run that decided the game. He had a rebound, an assist and a 3-pointer in the run.
“I wanted to come out aggressive, play within myself and do whatever it took to win the game,” Pargo said. “You don’t want to come out and force things. This was a big win for us. Hopefully, this is the start of something special.”
Rookie Dion Waiters added 16 points, Alonzo Gee had 14 points — including four 3-pointers — and Anderson Varejao had 10 points and 19 rebounds as the Cavs improved to 3-8. Reserve C.J. Miles, who had been struggling mightily and was shooting 21.8 percent, had a season-high 13 points while making 3-of-4 3-pointers.
Jason Richardson and Jrue Holiday each had 16 points for the Sixers, who shot just 36 percent (31-of-86) and slipped to 7-5.
But there was no doubt who the hero was on this night.
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