Philadelphia, which has won a season-high four straight games, placed six players in double figures. The 76ers (30-29) have won six of seven and 13 of 17, but had to hold off a late Cleveland rally that saw the Cavaliers cut a 15-point lead in the second half to two in the final seconds.
Cleveland forward Antawn Jamison left the game in the third quarter with a broken little finger on his left hand. He scored 16 points in 30 minutes. J.J. Hickson had 22 points and 16 rebounds for Cleveland.
Cleveland played without point guard Baron Davis, acquired Thursday from the Los Angeles Clippers. Cavaliers coach Byron Scott wants Davis, who arrived in Cleveland on Saturday, to practice with the team before he plays in a game.
Brand left the game briefly in the third quarter with a dislocated little finger on his left hand.
The Cavaliers (11-48) were coming off a victory over the New York Knicks and newly acquired forward Carmelo Anthony on Friday. Cleveland got off to a quick start and led 21-10 before the 76ers went on a 12-2 run to end the first quarter. Philadelphia's spurt carried over to the second period, when the 76ers scored 10 of the first 14 points to take a 32-27 lead.
Philadelphia was ahead 49-43 at halftime and steadily built the lead throughout the third quarter. The lead reached 15 points before Cleveland began to cut into the margin.
Cleveland got within 91-88 with 48 seconds to play on Ramon Sessions' jumper. Hickson's turnover denied Cleveland a chance to tie and Jrue Holliday hit two free throws with 11.1 seconds left.
Daniel Gibson hit 3-pointer with 7.9 seconds remaining, but Jodie Meeks made two free throws with 6.9 seconds left to wrap up the game.
Meeks scored 14 points and Holliday added 13 for the 76ers. Thaddeus Young scored 12 while Evan Turner added 10.
Sessions had 20 points and 10 assists for Cleveland.
NOTES: The 76ers hadn't been over .500 since they were 3-2 on Nov. 6, 2009. ... Turner, the second pick in last summer's draft, played his college ball at Ohio State. ... C Semih Erden and F Luke Harangody, acquired from Boston on Thursday, didn't play. Scott hopes all three of his new players will play in Cleveland's next game, which will be Wednesday night against San Antonio. Scott lists Davis, who has been playing with a sore left knee all season, as questionable.
