PHILADELPHIA_The Philadelphia 76ers sprinted out early to an early lead and never allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers to get into the game in a 141-94 romp at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night. Here are takeaways from the game.
_Simmons sets tone with aggressiveness
Ben Simmons looked to go to the basket early and often. There are times he gets near the hoop only to pass to a teammate. In the first quarter, when he scored 14 points, Simmons was looking to finish and the Sixers fed off his aggressiveness. He made a three-pointer in the second quarter, which got the crowd going. This was Simmons' most aggressive approach of the year.
_Scott enjoys starting role
Coach Brett Brown hasn't used Mike Scott in the starting lineup this season because he thinks the 6-foot-8 power forward provides energy off the bench. Scott made his first start of the season with Joel Embiid out because of a hip bruise and Al Horford's moving to center. Like many of the Sixers, Scott got of to a flying start. He has been inconsistent, and starting him might get him going. Scott was 2- for 4 from three-point range in the first half after going 1-for-16 in his previous five games.
_With a home game Sunday against Toronto, the Sixers starters didn't have to play extended minutes.
One critique: Why was Simmons still in the game until departing with 3 minutes, 36 seconds left in the third quarter and the Sixers leading, 99-57?
_Cavs lacking in transition defense
While the Sixers looked strong offensively, new Cavs coach John Beilein should have the team working more on transition defense. It looked like a layup line during a 77-36 first half, when the Sixers had 20 fast-break points. It seemed like more.
