Cavaliers clinch best record in East

PHILADELPHIA — Division title: Check. No. 1 playoff seeding: Check. Next goal for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers is securing the NBA’s best record.

James had 27 points and 10 assists, Wally Szczerbiak scored a season-high 18 and the Cavaliers beat the struggling Philadelphia 76ers, 102-92, Friday night to clinch home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

“It means a lot,” James said. “To set a goal and accomplish it, we should be proud.”

No team has played better at home this season than the Cavaliers. They’re 38-1 at Quicken Loans Arena, with the only loss coming against the Lakers on Feb. 8.

Andre Iguodala led Philadelphia with 26 points. The 76ers have lost four straight since clinching a playoff berth. They remained one game behind Miami for fifth place in the East.

Andre Miller and Lou Williams each scored 17 for Philadelphia, and Mo Williams had 18 for the Cavaliers.

Playing before the first sellout at the Wachovia Center this season, the 76ers kept it close but never led after the opening quarter.

The 76ers trailed by two, 76-74, on a jumper by Lou Williams early in the fourth quarter, but Szczerbiak answered with a three-pointer and Joe Smith followed with a basket to extend the lead to 81-74. Smith then dunked off an outstanding pass from Ben Wallace to make it 85-76 and bring the Cavaliers’ bench, including cheerleader James, to its feet.

After the 76ers got to within 85-80, Szczerbiak made his fourth three-pointer and made a pair of three throws for a 90-80 lead with 4:43 left.

“Wally was terrific off the bench on both ends of the floor,” Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown said. “He really impacted the game.”

If the Cavaliers (64-15) win their final two games in Cleveland, against Boston and Philadelphia, they will match the NBA’s best all-time home record set by the 1985-86 Celtics.

“It’s a big deal,” Szczerbiak said. “You want to go into the playoffs playing on a high note.”